we have been having

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "we have been having" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is often used to talk about an ongoing action that began in the past and continues up to the present. For example, you could say, "We have been having a lot of fun this summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We have been having a real lean time.

The Guardian - Sport

But that is not the debate we have been having.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This is the kind of disillusionment we have been having".

The New York Times

We have been having this debate for eight years now.

The Guardian - Opinion

We have been having a lot of fun and experienced success with many of our projects.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

We have been having a debate for more than 20 years.

The Washington Post

"We have been having to implement massive cuts since 2010 and getting the blame," Green said.

The Guardian

It is not just that we have been having a bad day".

The New York Times

We have been having this campaign since the dawn of the ice age.

The New York Times

In addition, there's the difficulty we have been having with our Swiss subsidiary".

The New Yorker

We have been having some problems with shareholders being in arrears.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a completed event or situation, consider using the past simple tense. For example, instead of "We have been having a meeting yesterday", use "We had a meeting yesterday."

Common error

Avoid using "we have been having" when referring to a single, completed action in the past. Instead of saying "We have been having a problem last week", say "We had a problem last week."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we have been having" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It indicates an action or experience that began in the past and is still continuing or has recently ceased, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we have been having" is a versatile verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense, used to describe ongoing experiences or situations that began in the past and extend to the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. While it's suitable for various registers, avoiding its use for single, completed actions is important. Consider synonyms like "we've been experiencing" or "we are currently having" for nuanced expression. With these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately incorporate "we have been having" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we've been experiencing

This alternative replaces "having" with "experiencing", emphasizing the undergoing of a situation or event.

we are currently having

This phrase changes to present continuous while adding "currently", emphasizing the ongoing nature of the experience in the present moment.

we've been undergoing

Similar to "experiencing", "undergoing" suggests a process or change that the subject is going through.

we've been engaged in

This phrase indicates active participation in an activity or process.

we've been conducting

This suggests a more formal or organized activity, such as research or an investigation.

we have recently had

This alternative suggests that the experience happened in the recent past, using the adverb "recently".

we've been holding

This alternative can refer to meetings, discussions, or events that have been taking place.

we are in the midst of

This implies being actively involved in something that is currently happening, focusing on the ongoing action.

we were having

Shifts the tense to past continuous, indicating the activity occurred in the past but is no longer ongoing.

we experienced

Simplifies the phrase to past simple tense, focusing on the completed experience.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we have been having" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, you can replace "we have been having" with phrases like "we have been experiencing" or "we have been undergoing", which convey a similar meaning with a slightly elevated tone.

What's the difference between "we have been having" and "we had"?

"We have been having" indicates an action or situation that started in the past and is still ongoing, whereas "we had" refers to a completed action or state in the past.

Is it correct to use "we have been having" when talking about a single event?

It's generally not appropriate to use "we have been having" for a single, completed event. This phrase is best used for ongoing situations. For a single event, use the past simple tense, like "we had".

What are some synonyms for "we have been having" to add variety to my writing?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms such as "we've been experiencing", "we've been undergoing", or "we are currently having" to add variety and nuance to your writing.