having been doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'having been doing' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate something that has been taking place up until the present moment, or to indicate something that has happened repeatedly up until that point. Example: She had been working all afternoon, having been doing her best to finish the project before the deadline.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Having been doing odd jobs in London, working backstage to support his writing, Magnificence was a breakthrough for Brenton: a Royal Court commission that brought the political awareness of fringe theatre into the mainstream.

The Guardian - Books

Having been doing a lot of DIY lately it simply hasn't worked at all for my battered fingertips for more than a month now.

TechCrunch

Of course it goes without saying that, from a technical standpoint, I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing: I'm a content person (writer, editor, publisher) not a broadcasting or technology person – so I've also been busily surrounding myself with people who having been doing that stuff for years.

TechCrunch

I think I understand now, having been doing this now for 25 years, just what a miracle it was.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Disney has been doing well.

The Economist

Many have been doing so.

The Economist

"That's all I've been doing.

The New Yorker

Artists have been doing that forever".

The New York Times

I've been doing that for years.

The New York Times

I've been doing better at that.

The New York Times

And I've been doing it!

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "having been doing" to emphasize the duration of an action leading to a specific result or understanding. It provides context by highlighting the extended period over which the action occurred.

Common error

Avoid using the simple past tense when the action is ongoing or has relevance to the present. For example, instead of saying 'I did that', use "I've been doing that" to indicate continuity and present relevance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having been doing" functions as a perfect continuous gerundive phrase, often used to introduce a clause that provides background or context by emphasizing an ongoing action that has led to a particular state or result. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "having been doing" is a grammatically correct construction used to emphasize the duration of an action leading to a specific outcome. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, although it's worth noting that it is not very common and typically found in news and media contexts. When writing, remember that its primary function is to provide context and explanation. While grammatically sound, simpler alternatives, like "I've been doing", might be more appropriate for informal conversations. By understanding its purpose and appropriate contexts, you can effectively use "having been doing" to enhance the clarity and depth of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

having done

Emphasizes the completion or result of the action more directly than the continuous nature.

after doing

Shifts the focus to the sequence of events, placing the action in the past.

since doing

Highlights the time elapsed since the action was initiated.

following doing

Similar to 'after doing' but often implies a more formal or structured sequence.

as a result of doing

Focuses on the consequence of the action rather than the action itself.

because I was doing

Introduces a reason or explanation for a subsequent action or state.

while in the process of doing

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action and provides a sense of immediacy.

given that I was doing

Similar to 'because' but often implies a more formal or logical connection.

considering I did

Takes the action into account as a factor influencing a decision or situation.

due to the fact I was doing

A more verbose way of expressing causality, emphasizing the reason for something.

FAQs

How does "having been doing" differ from "having done"?

"Having been doing" emphasizes the continuous nature of an action over a period of time, while "having done" simply indicates the completion of an action.

When is it appropriate to use "having been doing" in a sentence?

Use "having been doing" when you want to highlight that an activity has been ongoing for a certain duration and has a direct impact on the current situation or understanding. It is generally used to emphasize the continuous and prolonged nature of the verb.

What are some alternatives to "having been doing" that still convey a sense of prolonged action?

Alternatives include phrases like "after doing" or "since doing". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey about the action's timing and impact.

Is "having been doing" considered formal or informal language?

The phrase "having been doing" is generally considered neutral. While it is grammatically correct, it is more commonly found in written English or slightly more formal spoken contexts, as simpler constructions like "I've been doing" are more frequently used in everyday conversation.