we have been observing

USAGE SUMMARY

"we have been observing" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to indicate an action that started in the past and is still ongoing at the time of speaking or writing. Example: We have been observing the changes in the company's profits for the past year.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

We have been observing an increasing demand from the student body to engage more and earlier in D-Lab classes.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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

The New Yorker

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

The New York Times

For the past several years, we have been observing a new spectroscopic survey of the distant Universe, the DEIMOS/DEEP redshift survey.

University of California, Berkeley

What we have been observing – wage stagnation [PDF] and rising inequality, even as wealth increases – does not reflect the workings of a normal market economy, but of what I call ersatz capitalism.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

If our moral failing is exposed, we feel shame, not because we have transgressed, but because we have been observed in our transgression.

The Guardian - Books

If our moral failing is exposed, we feel shame, not because we have transgressed, but because we have been observed in our transgression.

The Guardian - Books

(A) The summary table of the additional datasets we have been observed; 1, data available; 0, data not available.

Breast Cancer Research

My colleagues and I--we're the ones in the stars-and-stripes pants--we've been observing this thing you call voting very carefully and, to say the least, we're not happy about it.

HuffPost

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

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Observing" can imply a formal or scientific approach, so if a more casual term fits better, consider alternatives like "noticing" or "seeing".

Common error

Avoid using "we have been observing" when referring to a single, completed observation in the past. In such cases, the simple past tense ("we observed") is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we have been observing" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It indicates an action that began in the past and continues into the present. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we have been observing" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe an action of watching or monitoring that began in the past and continues into the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly employed across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. When writing, be mindful of the timeframe and choose it when a formal tone and continuous observation is required. Consider alternatives like "we've been watching" or "we have been monitoring" to fine-tune the nuance of your statement. Remember to use the simple past tense instead of the present perfect continuous tense when talking about an observation that already finished.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we've been watching

This alternative uses "watching" instead of "observing", implying a more casual form of observation.

we have been monitoring

This alternative uses "monitoring", suggesting a more systematic and intentional form of observation.

we have been tracking

This alternative uses "tracking", implying a focus on following the progress or changes of something.

we have been noticing

This alternative uses "noticing", suggesting a more passive form of observation, where something simply comes to one's attention.

we have been witnessing

This alternative uses "witnessing", implying direct exposure to an event or phenomenon.

we have been studying

This alternative uses "studying", suggesting a more in-depth and analytical form of observation.

we have been following

This alternative uses "following", implying keeping up with developments or changes over time.

we have been examining

This alternative uses "examining", suggesting a closer, more detailed inspection.

we have been surveying

This alternative uses "surveying", suggesting a broad overview or assessment of a situation.

we have been aware of

This alternative focuses on the state of being conscious or informed about something.

FAQs

How can I use "we have been observing" in a sentence?

Use "we have been observing" to describe an ongoing process of watching or monitoring something over a period of time. For instance, "We have been observing a decline in sales over the past quarter."

What are some alternatives to "we have been observing"?

Alternatives include "we've been watching", "we have been monitoring", or "we have been tracking" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "we have been observing" formal or informal?

"We have been observing" is generally considered neutral to formal. Simpler alternatives like "we've noticed" might be more suitable for informal contexts.

When should I use "we observed" instead of "we have been observing"?

Use "we observed" (simple past) to describe a completed action in the past, and use "we have been observing" (present perfect continuous) to describe an action that started in the past and is still ongoing or has relevance to the present.