are being

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are being" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the passive voice to indicate an ongoing action or state that is currently happening. Example: "The documents are being reviewed by the committee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Roads are being paved.

The Economist

"Bills are being paid.

The New York Times

Some are being tortured.

The New York Times

Plans are being redrawn.

The New York Times - Sports

People are being kidnapped.

The New York Times

We are being disrespected.

The New York Times

You are being framed.

The New York Times

Pills are being popped.

The New Yorker

workers are being told.

The New Yorker

Wetlands are being restored.

The Economist

"Capillaries are being distended.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are being", ensure the context clearly indicates an ongoing action or process in the passive voice. This emphasizes the receiver of the action rather than the actor.

Common error

Avoid using "are being" when an active voice construction would be clearer and more direct. Overuse of the passive voice can make your writing sound awkward and less engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being" primarily functions as an auxiliary verb phrase used to form the present continuous passive voice. This grammatical structure indicates an ongoing action that is being performed on the subject, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples such as "Roads "are being paved"."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are being" is a very common auxiliary verb phrase used to form the present continuous passive voice, indicating an ongoing action performed on the subject. As supported by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and media sources. While versatile, overuse of the passive voice should be avoided for clearer and more engaging writing. Understanding its function and context is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is in the process of

This alternative emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action, similar to "are being".

is currently undergoing

This alternative highlights that something is presently experiencing a process, similar to "are being".

is actively undergoing

This alternative stresses the active and ongoing nature of the action, mirroring the function of "are being".

is presently experiencing

This alternative highlights the current experience of a process, much like "are being".

is now subject to

This alternative is suitable when something is currently undergoing a particular treatment or situation.

is under current

This option shortens the structure while keeping the meaning of being under something at this time, close to "are being".

is in active

This focuses on an ongoing, vigorous process, akin to "are being".

is subject to ongoing

This indicates that something is presently affected by an ongoing process.

are encountering

This replacement works specifically to express things that are currently happening or being experienced, similar to the passive "are being" structure.

are facing

Expresses ongoing experiences in a direct, active structure rather than passive.

FAQs

How can I use "are being" in a sentence?

The phrase "are being" is used to indicate an ongoing action in the passive voice. For example, "The houses "are being built"" shows that the action of building is currently happening to the houses.

What are some alternatives to using "are being"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "is in the process of", "is currently undergoing", or rephrase the sentence in the active voice to avoid the passive construction altogether.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice with "are being"?

While "are being" is grammatically correct, using the active voice can often make your writing more direct and engaging. For instance, instead of "Mistakes "are being made"", you could say "People are making mistakes."

What's the difference between "are being" and "were being"?

"Are being" indicates an action that is currently happening, whereas "were being" indicates an action that was happening in the past. For example, "The instructions "are being followed" now," but "The instructions "were being followed" yesterday."