TextRanch
The best way to perfect your writing.

Discover why 1,062,726 users count on TextRanch to get their English corrected!

1. Input your text below.
2. Get it corrected in a few minutes by our editors.
3. Improve your English!

One of our experts will correct your English.

TextRanch Editors

have been looking into this vs had been looking into this

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Have been looking into this" is used when referring to an ongoing action or investigation in the present or recent past. "Had been looking into this" is used when referring to a past action or investigation that was ongoing before another event in the past.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 1606 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to an ongoing action or investigation in the present or recent past.

"have been looking into this "

This phrase is used to indicate that someone has been examining or investigating something continuously up to the present moment or recently.

Examples:

  • I have been looking into this issue for the past week.
  • They have been looking into the company's financial records.
  • She has been looking into possible solutions to the problem.
  • We have been looking into the reasons for the delay.
  • The team has been looking into new technologies for the project.
  • With regard to the possibility of overfishing around the peripheral regions, we have been looking into this and the Council has just adopted a regulation on IUU fishing, with the European Parliament's blessing.
  • I have been looking into how the mercenaries discovered the route through the forest.
  • Nina, Roe, and Mike have been looking into Rhodes.
  • We have been looking into the problems in Galicia very carefully and are continuing to do so.
  • Well, I have been looking into Tommy Tolliver, seeing if I can figure out why Cain went to the trouble of springing him.
  • 'Cause I have been looking into the NORAD satellites and the building specs.
  • So the team have been looking into the dead driver's phone records.
  • This is something that they have been looking into for some time.
  • In the last few days, investigators have been looking into what - most probably human error - caused the tragedy.
  • As your rapporteur, I have been looking into what we said in the discharge report for 1999.
  • That is why we have been looking into ways of how to make Member States publish these figures.
  • I have been looking for someone who understands frequencies.
  • Search parties have been looking all night.
  • When we should have been looking at victims of his cyber cases.
  • But I have been looking at flights.
  • The geeks have been looking at the browser history on Shearwood's laptop.
  • I have been looking for you everywhere.
  • Says her parents have been looking for her.
  • I have been looking for you, Alison.
  • Melody and I have been looking for you guys everywhere.

Alternatives:

  • I am looking into this.
  • I have looked into this.
  • I will be looking into this.
  • I had looked into this.
  • I will have been looking into this.

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to a past action or investigation that was ongoing before another event in the past.

"had been looking into this "

This phrase is used to indicate that someone had been examining or investigating something continuously up to a point in the past, before another event occurred.

Examples:

  • They had been looking into the matter before the new evidence emerged.
  • She had been looking into potential suppliers for the project before the budget was cut.
  • He had been looking into the issue for months before he found a solution.
  • The team had been looking into the problem for weeks before they discovered the cause.
  • I had been looking into this case for a while before I made a decision.
  • At the meeting, the preliminary draft proposal and the conclusions of the different seminars and working groups that had been looking into these matters were put to open debate.
  • And the whole town had been looking for us.
  • He says his dad HAD been looking at some computer disks.
  • Arlene had been looking for the objects for years.
  • I found the very thing you had been looking for.
  • Tom found the key he had been looking for.
  • FSO had been looking for a strategic investor since its difficulties began.
  • Most people had been looking at 18 hertz, but I experimented with 19.
  • We met 'em outside the hospital so we could say that... Jenny had been looking after him when he took ill.
  • But he had been looking for the Author for years.
  • [Narrator] And Marta realized it was Michael, not Gob... who had everything she had been looking for in a man.
  • Maybe he didn't know it, but had been looking for his whole life.
  • Since our eyes met, I knew I had been looking for her.
  • We had been looking for a solution to have them leave the country during the past three months.
  • Okay, so I've been looking into Andrea Hicks.
  • You've been looking into the circumstances around Harris Ryland's recent release.
  • I've been looking into Johnson and Costello's credit card purchases.
  • I've been looking into James for some time now.
  • I've been looking into this missing kid on my own time.
  • I've been looking into major financial transactions.

Alternatives:

  • I had looked into this.
  • I had been investigating this.
  • I had been examining this.
  • I had been researching this.
  • I had been delving into this.

Related Comparisons

How TextRanch works

Fast and reliable proofreading, editing, and language advice tailored to your needs.

1. Choose Your Service

Quick Text Editing

  • Emails and short texts
  • Proofreading & editing
  • Ready in 5-10 minutes
SUBMIT YOUR TEXT NOW

Document Editing

  • Documents of any type (*.docx)
  • Advanced & Premium editing
  • Ready in as little as 4 hours
UPLOAD YOUR DOCUMENT

Ask an Editor

  • Personalized answers to your language questions
  • Expert guidance on grammar, style, and usage
  • Ready in 24 hours
ASK YOUR QUESTION

Upload your document or paste your text directly into our platform. Your text is reviewed and refined by our expert editors (real people, not machines) who understand the nuances of English. Expect corrections, improvements, and insightful suggestions that enhance the clarity, tone, and professionalism of your writing.

In just a few minutes (or hours for longer documents), you'll receive your corrected text. Review the changes, make any final adjustments, and confidently share your polished English with the world.
You can count on a personalized, friendly service every time you use TextRanch. We're committed to helping you make a great impression with every word you write.

We proofread and edit these types of texts and documents:

Short texts Business Emails Personal Emails Social media posts Resume and Curriculum Vitae Business documents Sales proposal Research and academic papers Thesis Dissertation Essays Articles Blog posts and much more....

Powered By Humans

TextRanch Editors

AI is a great tool, but when it comes to perfecting your writing, we rely on real human editors.

  • All our editors are native English speakers.
  • Each editor has passed a rigorous admission test to ensure quality.
  • Our global team is ready to correct any text, anytime.

MEET OUR EDITORS

TextRanch Editors

Why choose TextRanch?

Complete Privacy

Your texts are safe and secure with us. We never share your information with third parties.

Affordable Pricing

No subscription fees and rates up to 50% cheaper than other online editing services.

100% Satisfaction

We guarantee that you'll be satisfied with the quality of our service or your money back.

Top Customer Service

Our team is here to help you with any questions you may have. Contact us anytime.

Our Customers Love Us!

We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283125 votes, and

People Feedback 4.9 Excellent - Reviews 2.137

"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"

Profile picture of Zubair from Bangladesh

Zubair
from Bangladesh From

"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"

Profile picture of Arturo from Mexico

Arturo
from Mexico From

"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."

Profile picture of Selena from USA

Selena
from USA From

"Wow, it's just so excellent. I never would have believed I could have a sure and excellent English companion. Thanks, TextRanch."

Profile picture of Ifiok from Nigeria

Ifiok
from Nigeria From

"This is my first time using TextRanch, and I like how the editors take time to correct my text. To everyone who has never used TextRanch before, I highly recommend trying it."

Profile picture of Wilson from France

Wilson
from France From

"It is an amazing source of feedback because, as a non-native speaker, I really need to have a reliable helper correct my text."

Profile picture of Susan from Germany

Susan
from Germany From

Trusted by Hundreds Teams

Facebook logo
Accenture logo
Air Asia logo
AirBus logo
Amazon logo
Bayer logo
Decathlon logo
Docusign logo
Ebay logo
Fiverr logo
Fossil logo
Keller Williams logo
LinkedIn logo
Loreal logo
Motorola logo
Orange logo
Roche logo
Salesforce logo
Stellantis logo