have continued to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have continued to be" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to express the ongoing nature of a state or action. Example: Despite the challenges, their dedication and hard work have continued to be an inspiration to all of us.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Sales of touch-screen tablets have continued to be strong.

The New York Times - Tech

Story-form shows have continued to be successful, of course.

The New York Times - Arts

Since then Kurdish journalists have continued to be harassed, threatened and physically assaulted by security forces.

The New York Times

Nonetheless, most big law firms have continued to be highly profitable.

The Economist

Exhibitions of waxworks were popular in the 18th century and have continued to be so.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The problems involved have continued to be discussed at the monthly meetings.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The building of democracy and the rule of law have continued to be perfected".

The New Yorker

And of course bloggers, NGOs and activists have continued to be targeted.

The New Yorker

In January and February, the company's sales have continued to be better than expected.

The New York Times

Despite calls for reconciliation, Red Shirt supporters have continued to be harried.

Independent

Given the politics, what's striking is how substantial medical payments have continued to be.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have continued to be" to clearly indicate that something has not only existed but has persisted over a period of time, especially when contrasting it with a previous state or expectation.

Common error

Avoid using "have continued to be" when a simple affirmation of current state is sufficient. For instance, instead of "The project has continued to be successful", consider "The project is successful" if the continuation isn't the key point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have continued to be" functions as a present perfect continuous form of the verb 'to be'. According to Ludwig AI, it indicates an action or state that began in the past, has continued, and is still relevant in the present. It's often used to emphasize the ongoing nature of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have continued to be" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate the ongoing nature of a state or condition. As Ludwig AI explains, it's a present perfect continuous form, emphasizing persistence over time. It's most commonly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When writing, remember to use it when emphasizing continuity, and avoid overuse when a simple affirmation suffices. Consider alternatives like "have remained" or "have consistently been" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have consistently been

Stresses the uniformity and lack of variation in the state.

have remained

Focuses on the persistence of a state without necessarily implying a prior change.

have invariably been

Highlights the unchanging and predictable nature of the state.

have persisted in being

Emphasizes the duration and continuous nature of the state.

have ceaselessly been

Focuses on the continuous and relentless nature of the state.

have kept on being

Highlights the uninterrupted nature of the state.

have unremittingly been

Emphasizes the unwavering and persistent nature of the state.

have always been

Implies a state that has existed since the beginning, differing in scope.

have historically been

Indicates a long-standing condition rooted in the past.

have traditionally been

Suggests a customary or conventional state.

FAQs

How can I use "have continued to be" in a sentence?

Use "have continued to be" to indicate the ongoing nature of a situation or state, particularly when emphasizing its persistence. For instance, "Despite the challenges, sales "have continued to be" strong".

What are some alternatives to "have continued to be"?

You can use alternatives such as "have remained", "have persisted in being", or "have consistently been" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "have continued to be" or "has continued to be"?

"Have continued to be" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "They have continued to be supportive"), while "has continued to be" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "She has continued to be helpful").

What's the difference between "have continued to be" and "have continued to do"?

"Have continued to be" describes an ongoing state or condition, while "have continued to do" describes an ongoing action. For example, "They "have continued to be" friends" (state) versus "They have continued to support the cause" (action).