we have been asking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'we have been asking' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase in the present perfect continuous tense to describe an ongoing action that has recently stopped or is still going on at the present time. For example: "We have been asking around town for information, but so far we haven't found any leads."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We have been asking for reform for 11 years.

The New York Times - Arts

"We have been asking for that for 20 years.

The New York Times

"This is what we have been asking for all along," he said.

The New York Times

Here on India Ink, we have been asking: Does this make any sense?

The New York Times

We have been asking for this to happen for over four years.

The Guardian

We have been asking people to tell us why they joined.

The Guardian

"This is very close to what we have been asking for," Mr. Dean said.

The New York Times

"For years we have been asking at the laureate conference for her release," he said.

The Guardian

As part of our ongoing coverage we have been asking you to share your stories.

The Guardian

"We have been asking if we can get the US to provide that capability for us.

The Guardian

We have been asking Castro to have elections for a long time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we have been asking" to show persistence and a history of requesting something, which can strengthen your argument or appeal.

Common error

Avoid using "we have been asking" when you mean a single, completed request in the past. Use "we asked" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we have been asking" functions as a verbal phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It indicates an action of asking that began in the past and has continued until the present or has recently ceased. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we have been asking" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to highlight the persistent nature of a request or inquiry that began in the past and continues to the present. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase carries a neutral tone, suitable for a variety of communicative contexts. To ensure accuracy, be mindful of using the correct tense and clearly defining who "we" represents. As shown by Ludwig, alternatives such as "we've consistently requested" or "we've long been requesting" can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we've kept asking

Simple and direct reiteration of asking repeatedly.

we've long been requesting

Indicates that the request has been ongoing for a significant duration.

we've consistently requested

Emphasizes the continuous and persistent nature of the request.

we've been calling for

Emphasizes a public or collective demand for something.

we've repeatedly inquired

Highlights the act of asking multiple times, focusing on the inquiry aspect.

we've continually questioned

Focuses on the act of questioning and its recurring nature.

we've been petitioning for

Suggests a formal or organized appeal for something.

we've persistently sought

Stresses the determination and ongoing effort in pursuing a specific goal.

our requests have been ongoing

Highlights that the action of request is ongoing.

we have a history of asking

Indicates that the ask is not new but a continuous aspect of a project/job.

FAQs

How do I use "we have been asking" in a sentence?

Use "we have been asking" to indicate an ongoing or repeated request. For example, "We have been asking for more resources for months."

What can I say instead of "we have been asking"?

You can use alternatives like "we have been requesting", "we have been inquiring", or "we have been seeking" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "we have been asking" or "we asked"?

"We asked" refers to a completed action in the past. "We have been asking" indicates an action that started in the past and continues to the present or has recently stopped.

What's the difference between "we have been asking" and "we are asking"?

"We are asking" implies a present, immediate request. "We have been asking" suggests a request that has been ongoing for some time.