The phrase “have been being done” is a grammatically correct but extremely rare construction in English. It combines the present perfect continuous tense with the passive voice.
Structure
The full form follows this pattern:
have/has + been + being + past participle
Example: “The reports have been being written by the team all week.”
Why Is It Rare?
Most native speakers avoid this form because it sounds awkward and overly complex. In practice, people prefer simpler alternatives:
- “The reports have been written all week.” (present perfect passive)
- “The team has been writing the reports all week.” (present perfect continuous active)
When Might You See It?
You may encounter “have been being done” in formal or technical writing when the writer needs to emphasize:
- The action is ongoing,
- It started in the past and continues now,
- And the subject is receiving the action (passive).
Even then, rewording is usually preferred for clarity.
In Summary
While “have been being done” is technically valid, it’s best avoided in everyday communication. Focus on clearer, more natural-sounding constructions instead.