are being briefed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are being briefed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to individuals who are currently receiving information or instructions about a particular topic or situation. Example: "The team members are being briefed on the new project guidelines before the official launch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

5.43pm GMT LA Mayor Eric Garcetti and LAPD chief Charlie Beck have arrived at the airport in LA and are being briefed on the situation.

The Guardian

But now, citizens across the country are being briefed on the state of their school districts and their counties and even their favorite sports.

The New York Times

It is 7.30pm and on the 13th floor of the Thomas Kemp tower at the Royal Sussex Hospital in Brighton, eight midwives wearing royal-blue scrubs are being briefed ahead of their nightshift.

Independent

In an anonymous warehouse in London, five celebrities – looking as edgy as miscreants in a headmaster's office – are being briefed on what they can expect when they're hit the streets.

Independent

As with any style in demand, merchants are being briefed to "get that look in any shape or form, and get it at a price," said Howard Davidowitz, who heads a New York retail consulting firm.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, lawmakers are being briefed more thoroughly than before as to how the system works.Modern data-mining techniques allow computers to spot patterns that might previously have passed unnoticed such as large volumes of texts or e-mails to and from areas where al-Qaeda leaders are thought to be hiding.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Suddenly, Curry was being briefed by a team employee to prepare him for the coming storm.

The New York Times - Sports

Salon's staff was being briefed on the changes on Monday afternoon.

The New York Times

He was being briefed by Met officers that no new investigation was warranted.

The Guardian

Neither does President Garrison, who is being briefed on it at the Pentagon.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In Washington, the White House said President Barack Obama was being briefed Friday by his national security team.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are being briefed" when you want to emphasize the passive role of the recipients, highlighting that they are receiving information rather than actively seeking it.

Common error

Avoid using the active voice when the passive voice is more appropriate. For example, instead of "Someone is briefing them", use "They are being briefed" to emphasize the recipients.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being briefed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject is receiving information or instructions. The auxiliary verbs "are" and "being" combine with the past participle "briefed" to form the passive progressive tense, signaling an ongoing action as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are being briefed" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that someone is currently receiving information or instructions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for use in various contexts, particularly in news and media, and to a lesser extent in formal and business settings. When writing, use "are being briefed" to highlight the passive role of the recipients and avoid misusing the active voice when the passive voice is more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "are being informed" or "are receiving instruction" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are receiving instruction

Focuses more on the instructional aspect of the information being given.

are being informed

Emphasizes the act of conveying information, less formal than "briefed".

are getting the rundown

More informal, implies a concise summary of information.

are being updated

Suggests receiving new or current information on a continuing basis.

are learning the details

Highlights the acquisition of specific information.

are getting acquainted with the facts

Implies a process of becoming familiar with information.

are being apprised of

More formal and emphasizes the importance of the information.

are being filled in

Informal, suggesting missing information is being provided.

are being given the lowdown

Very informal, suggests receiving confidential or insider information.

are being schooled

Informal, can suggest a thorough or even harsh instruction.

FAQs

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

You can use "are being briefed" to indicate that a group or individual is receiving specific instructions or information, for example: "The team members "are being briefed" on the new project guidelines before the official launch."

What are some alternatives to "are being briefed"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "are being informed", "are receiving instruction", or "are getting the rundown" as alternatives to "are being briefed".

Is "are being briefed" formal or informal?

"Are being briefed" falls into a neutral to slightly formal register. It's suitable for news reports, professional communications, and academic writing. More informal alternatives exist, such as "are getting the lowdown".

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

"Are briefed" implies a state of having already received the briefing, while ""are being briefed"" indicates that the briefing is currently in progress. The latter emphasizes the ongoing nature of the information transfer.