they are being used vs they have been using

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'They are being used' is used to describe the current state of something being used at the moment. 'They have been using' is used to indicate a past action that started in the past and has continued up to the present.

Last updated: March 31, 2024 • 2326 views

they are being used

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe the current state of something being used at the moment.

This phrase is used to indicate that something is currently in use or being utilized by someone or something.

Alternatives:

they are in use
they are currently being used

they have been using

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate a past action that started in the past and has continued up to the present.

This phrase is used to describe an action that began in the past and is still ongoing or has just recently stopped.

Show examples from the web [+]

It would be easier for it to be delivered if people abandoned some of the rhetorical tricks they have been using this morning.
They have been using a Large Hadron Collider (LHC) particle accelerator to smash particles together at the speed of light in a bid to unlock the secrets of the Universe.
I believe that consumers also have the right to know whether or not they have been produced using genetic engineering.
They have been calculated using the methodology set out in points 2.1.1 and 2.3.1 of the Annex to Decision 2009/460/EC.
They could have been produced using any manner of means.
I am thinking of the 34 data items that have to be transferred to the United States, when we know perfectly well that most of these items are useless: the US authorities themselves say that they have only been using seven or eight of them.
We must get the WTO to agree to allow us to keep certain products off the European market if they have been manufactured using processes that cause additional climate change.
It is clear from Article 45 of Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 that wine products may be offered for direct human consumption in the Community only if they have been produced using oenological practices permitted in the Community.
When dead vertebrates are used, they should have been humanely killed using a method that avoids the risk of toxicity to the reptiles.
In the meantime it would be desirable if carpet importers were to develop a voluntary quality mark for labelling those carpets for which the suppliers can already provide guarantees that they have been produced without using azocolourants.
I've been using formal language with him but he's been using informal this whole time.
Major Kira's been using it.
I think he's been using my toothbrush.
We've been using it as our command center.
He's been using his laptop since yesterday.
You've been using the powers yggdrasil gives you to heal mortals.
The difference is you've been using my towels.
I hope you've been using the time wisely.
You've been using your armor only by reflex.
Looks like Henry's been using diamonds to launder and move money around.

Alternatives:

they have used
they have been utilizing

What Our Customers Are Saying

Our customers love us! We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283,125 votes.
Also check out our 2,100+ reviews on TrustPilot (4.9).

"Thank you!"
Sachi Nakama July 2024
"I have literally been through chat, PI, claude, bard and bing and I got conflicting answers! Thank you! Human intelligence reigns!"
Retha July 2024
"Faster than AI"
CYNTHIA December 2023
"This was very helpful and I personally think this site is the best."
Kaden October 2023
"It was extremely thorough and very helpful!"
imperialelisa October 2023
"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"
Zubair Alam October 2023
"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."
Selena October 2023
"Without textranch I would be stuck!"
宏祐 October 2023
"Accuracy and fast response. Personal comments from editor. Thank you."
Clh September 2023
"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"
Arturo September 2023
"The fact that you can get reliable fast feedback on your texts."
Vinicius Antonio August 2023
"you guys are better than grammarly i'm being honest here"
ordinary July 2023
"OMG! This is really good than any other text correction tools I've used so far. Highly recommend this."
Vehan July 2023
"Very fast and accurate. thank you."
mojtaba July 2023
"I love this app because it's help to writing skills all of students ♥️"
Tarisini July 2023
"This was exactly the mistake I was looking for, the wording dind´t sound right at first. Better than grammarly!"
Ente July 2023
"The immediate help that I received was reassuring and very satisfactory. Thanks."
priiiyanshuu July 2023
"this helps A LOT for my studies."
kathnunez02 June 2023
"Woow!! I would never have expected such precision! Thank you soooo much!!"
Berta June 2023
"Real Time Editor and not AI. Many Thanks."
Priya June 2023
"The very first thing excites me about Textranch is how much your editors care."
sepideh June 2023
"The fact that texts are checked by human editors rather than by AI, etc. I appreciate this!"
Анна June 2023
"Feel welcome, immediate response, high quality feedback"
martin.roy June 2023
"This is the best app that I have ever seen"
Burulai May 2023

they are being used vs they have been using