she has been working

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she has been working" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an ongoing action that started in the past and continues into the present. Example: "She has been working on the project for several weeks now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

She has been working here since May.

The Guardian

She has been working there for a year.

The New York Times

She has been working very diligently, protecting me".

The New Yorker

She has been working on this project for three years.

The New York Times

"She has been working on it ever since".

The New York Times - Arts

She has been working here for 21 years.

The Guardian - Music

She has been working on the project for a number of years.

Independent

For the past few years she has been working at the diocesan office near Southwark cathedral.

Independent

She has been working with Sony Pictures, it continued, since January.

Independent

In recent years, she has been working as a business consultant in Washington.

Independent

But she has been working on her John Gotti imitation all her life.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying a duration, include a time frame. For instance, "She has been working here since May" provides a clear indication of the period involved.

Common error

Avoid using "she has been working" for completed actions. This tense indicates ongoing activity; use the present perfect simple ("she has worked") if the action is finished and its result is relevant now.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she has been working" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. This tense is used to describe an action that started in the past, continues into the present, and may continue into the future. As confirmed by Ludwig, this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "she has been working" is a grammatically sound and widely used verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. It effectively communicates an action that began in the past and continues into the present, emphasizing duration and ongoing effort. Predominantly found in "News & Media" and "Science", it maintains a neutral tone suitable for various professional and informal contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the ongoing nature of the activity and avoid confusing it with tenses that denote completed actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she's been employed

Focuses specifically on being in a state of employment, suggesting a formal work arrangement.

she has been engaged

Emphasizes active participation or involvement, which may not necessarily be limited to work.

she has held a position

Highlights the holding of a job, title, or office, suggesting authority and formality.

she's currently occupied

Implies busyness or engagement with something at the present moment, broader than just work.

she is actively involved

Focuses on her participation and contribution, often in a collaborative or community setting.

she dedicates her time

Stresses the commitment of her time and energy, often to a specific cause or project.

she labors continuously

Emphasizes hard work and persistence over an extended duration.

she's been busy

A more general way of saying she is occupied, without specifying the type of work.

she's immersed herself

Suggests deep involvement and absorption in her work or activities.

she's committed herself

Implies a strong pledge of dedication to her job, duties, or the task at hand.

FAQs

How can I use "she has been working" in a sentence?

Use "she has been working" to describe an action that started in the past and is still ongoing. For example, "She has been working on her novel for several years now."

What is a similar phrase to "she has been working"?

Alternatives include "she has been employed", "she has been engaged", or "she has been involved", depending on the specific context.

When should I use "she has worked" instead of "she has been working"?

"She has worked" implies the action is completed, while "she has been working" indicates the action is still in progress. Choose "she has worked" when the activity is finished but its consequences are relevant now.

Is "she was working" the same as "she has been working"?

No, "she was working" refers to a past action that may or may not be continuing now, while "she has been working" indicates the action started in the past and is still ongoing in the present.