we have been looking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we have been looking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an ongoing action or search that started in the past and continues into the present. Example: "We have been looking for a solution to this problem for several weeks now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We have been looking into salesforce.com.com

The New York Times

"We have been looking at Congressional intent," she said.

The New York Times

Enzon is a company we have been looking at.

The New York Times

"These are things we have been looking at".

The New York Times

We have been looking for a potential minority partner.

The Guardian

"For decades we have been looking at different means of fingerprinting water," Dr. Aggarwal said.

The New York Times - Science

I just hope he's the answer we have been looking for.

The New York Times

"We have been looking for legislative solutions to what are not really legislative problems," he says.

The Economist

We have been looking at uppercuts that generate extra trump tricks for the defense.

The New York Times

It is gratifying to finally see what we have been looking for.

Independent

We have been looking at whether the scope of the current scheme is right".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we have been looking" to indicate an ongoing search or investigation that started in the past and continues to the present. For example: "We have been looking into alternative energy sources for months."

Common error

Avoid using "we have been looking" when referring to a completed action in the past. Instead, use "we looked" or "we had been looking" to maintain correct tense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we have been looking" primarily functions as a present perfect continuous construction, indicating an action that began in the past and is ongoing or has recently finished. Ludwig examples confirm its use in describing sustained efforts or investigations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we have been looking" is a common and grammatically correct construction used to describe an action that started in the past and continues to the present. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's widely used in News & Media to convey an ongoing search, investigation, or consideration. To ensure clarity, avoid using it for completed actions and consider alternatives like "we have been searching" or "we have been investigating" for nuanced meanings. Overall, "we have been looking" is a reliable phrase for describing sustained efforts over time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we've been investigating

Focuses specifically on a detailed inquiry or examination.

we've been searching

Emphasizes the act of trying to find something or someone.

we've been exploring

Highlights the act of discovery and examination of possibilities.

we've been examining

Focuses on a careful inspection or review.

we've been considering

Indicates thoughtful evaluation and deliberation.

we've been reviewing

Highlights the act of assessing and analyzing something.

we've been assessing

Emphasizes the evaluation of something's value or quality.

we've been scouting

Suggests looking for something specific, often related to talent or opportunities.

we've had our eye on

Implies a sustained interest and observation over time.

we've been eyeing

Suggests a close and often covetous watchfulness.

FAQs

What does "we have been looking" mean?

The phrase "we have been looking" indicates that a group has been actively searching, investigating, or considering something over a period of time, starting in the past and continuing into the present.

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

You can use alternatives like "we have been searching", "we have been investigating", or "we have been exploring" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "we are looking" instead of "we have been looking"?

While "we are looking" is grammatically correct, it suggests a more immediate and present action. "We have been looking" implies a sustained effort over time. The better option depends on the timeframe you want to convey.

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

Use "we have been looking" to describe an ongoing process of searching, examining, or considering something. For example, "We have been looking at various options for improving our customer service".