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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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we've been observing

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

We've been observing you quite a bit recently at research groups, and one thing has become abundantly clear: there's no such thing as a typical i reader.

News & Media

Independent

"For several months we've been observing more inflation at the factory gate, higher commodities inflation and the risk of higher pay settlements," he said.

The increasing convergence in black and white viewing patterns "is something we've been observing over the last five or six years," said Stacey Lynn Koerner, executive vice president and director for global research integration at Initiative Media in New York, as the networks scheduled additional series with ensemble casts reflecting what David N.

News & Media

The New York Times

"We've been observing them underwater every summer since 1985," she says.

News & Media

BBC

"We've been observing Nico for some time now and his performances have been very persuasive," said Sauber team principal Monisha Kaltenborn.

News & Media

BBC

While some of the option activity we've been observing could have negative implications for the market, the surveys we are tracking continue to display a growing pessimism that deserves a check mark for the bull case.

News & Media

Forbes
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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

He goes further than that, though: "Clearly, we have been observing evolution only for a very short time.

News & Media

The New Yorker

That does a lot to explain the slow markets we have been observing lately.

News & Media

The New York Times

We had been observing him in preparation, he was not so good, he was not the same David de Gea as before.

This is a pattern that we have been observing all year, and it seems to have become more pronounced recently.

News & Media

The New York Times

We had been observing him and he was not so good – he was not the same David De Gea as before.

News & Media

Independent
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we've been observing" when indicating a trend or pattern noticed over time. This phrase is suitable for reports, analyses, and discussions where sustained observation is relevant.

Common error

Avoid shifting to the simple present tense when continuing to describe ongoing observations. Maintain consistency by continuing with past tenses to accurately reflect the duration of observation.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we've been observing" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase, indicating an action that started in the past and continues to the present. It highlights the duration and ongoing nature of the observation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we've been observing" is a present perfect continuous phrase used to describe actions started in the past and continuing to the present, mostly in neutral register contexts such as News & Media and Science. According to Ludwig, its primary grammatical function is to highlight the duration and ongoing nature of an observation. When writing, ensure to maintain consistent tense when discussing observations, and consider alternatives like "we've been monitoring" or "we've noticed" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

FAQs

What does "we've been observing" mean?

It means that a group of people has been watching or monitoring something over a period of time, and is now reporting on what they have seen or learned.

What can I say instead of "we've been observing"?

You can use alternatives like "we've been watching", "we've been monitoring", or "we've noticed" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "we have been observing" instead of "we've been observing"?

Yes, "we have been observing" and "we've been observing" are both grammatically correct and have the same meaning. The second one is a contraction.

What is the difference between "observing" and "monitoring"?

"Observing" is a general term for watching something, while "monitoring" implies a more systematic and regular observation, often for a specific purpose. Therefore you could say "we've been monitoring" but not the other way around.

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Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: