have been working on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been working on" is correct and can be used in written English.
You would typically use this phrase to indicate that you have been spending time and effort on a particular task, such as a project or problem. For example, you could say "I've been working on my novel for the past few weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"We have been working on this awhile.

The New York Times - Tech

"We have been working on doing that.

The New York Times

"We have been working on this.

The New York Times

I have been working on the land.

The New York Times

We have been working on many types of biomaterials.

Surface and Coatings Technology

I have been working on a few different projects.

Cornell University

Other banks have been working on similar contingency plans.

Independent

"We have been working on this concept for nine months.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

That's something we've been working on consistently".

BBC

Various strategies have been worked on to eliminate these disadvantages.

Nanoscale Research Letters

All these have been worked on.

Global Health Action

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been working on", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific task or project being referenced to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "We have been working on it", specify "We have been working on the new marketing strategy".

Common error

Avoid using "have been working on" without providing context. Vague statements like "I've been working on things" lack clarity. Instead, specify the project or task to ensure your communication is clear and informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been working on" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action that started in the past and is ongoing in the present. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

32%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been working on" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe an ongoing activity or project. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and wide applicability across various domains, especially in news, science, and academic contexts. To maximize clarity, specify the object of your work instead of saying just "it". Consider related phrases like "have been engaged in" or "have been dedicated to" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been engaged in

Focuses more on the involvement or participation in an activity rather than the effort.

have been focused on

Highlights the concentration and attention given to a specific subject or task.

have been dedicated to

Emphasizes commitment and focus on a particular task or goal.

have devoted time to

Emphasizes the investment of time in a particular activity.

have applied myself to

Highlights the personal effort and application of skills to a task.

have been busy with

Suggests that someone is occupied or preoccupied with something, not necessarily implying significant progress.

have spent time on

Similar to 'devoted time to' but might imply less commitment.

have committed resources to

Focuses on the allocation of resources, not just time, to a project or goal.

have tackled

Implies dealing with a difficult or challenging task.

have undertaken

Suggests a formal or significant project or task that has been started.

FAQs

How can I use "have been working on" in a sentence?

Use "have been working on" to describe an ongoing project or task. For example, "I "have been working on" my thesis for the past few months".

What are some alternatives to "have been working on"?

You can use alternatives like "have been engaged in", "have been dedicated to", or "have been focused on" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "have worked on" and "have been working on"?

"Have worked on" implies completion, while ""have been working on"" suggests the task is still in progress. For example, "I have worked on the report" (it's finished), versus "I "have been working on" the report" (still in progress).

Is it correct to say "have been working on it" without specifying what "it" refers to?

While grammatically correct, it's better to specify what "it" refers to for clarity. Instead of "I "have been working on" it", say "I "have been working on" the presentation".