are being caused

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are being caused" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an ongoing action or situation where something is currently being caused by an external factor. Example: "The delays in the project are being caused by unforeseen circumstances that have arisen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Unfortunately, the delays are being caused by matters entirely outside our control".

The New York Times

The conditions are being caused by an area of warm, humid air moving across France into southern Britain overnight.

Independent

In a recent article, I outlined the factors that are preventing more thorough analysis of whether climate extremes are being caused by human-induced global warming.

The New York Times

The Fed led the move, explaining that it would help to "ease strains in financial markets" that are being caused by the euro-debt crisis.

The Economist

They are being caused serious problems by Santander's handling of a cheque for 5,000 Canadian dollars (approx £3,000) from a family member in Canada, drawn on an account at the Bank of Nova Scotia.

The Guardian - Money

This is particularly important if you believe your symptoms are being caused by gluten; the coeliac disease test for coeliac disease only works if you've been eating the stuff daily for at least six weeks.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

"All this trouble is being caused by that mad nun.

The Guardian

Some of the devastation is being caused by natural forces.

The New York Times

The headlines in the press were constantly about the corruption that was being caused by prohibition".

The Guardian

Now, however, more and more sea level rise is being caused by melting ice.

The Guardian

"Everybody knows that the harm is being caused and the system carries on.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To maintain clarity, avoid using "are being caused" in overly complex or convoluted sentences. Simplify the sentence structure if necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "are being caused" when the active voice would be more direct and concise. For example, instead of "The problems are being caused by the new policy", consider "The new policy is causing the problems".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being caused" functions as a passive construction indicating that the subject is receiving the action of being caused. As shown in Ludwig, it highlights the effect rather than the agent of causation. This construction is used to describe situations where the cause is less important than the effect.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are being caused" is a grammatically sound passive construction used to describe ongoing effects resulting from specific causes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and formal communications. While common, it's important to consider whether the active voice might provide a more direct and concise alternative. Remember to ensure that the subject and cause are clearly defined to maintain clarity. Furthermore, be mindful of contexts where alternative phrases like "are resulting from" or "are stemming from" may provide a more nuanced description. By considering these factors, you can effectively and accurately use the phrase "are being caused" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are resulting from

This alternative replaces "being caused" with "resulting from", emphasizing the consequence of a preceding action or condition.

are stemming from

This alternative indicates that the issues originate or derive from a specific source, similar to "being caused by".

are originating in

This alternative emphasizes the point of origin for the cause, suggesting a starting point or source.

are attributable to

This alternative indicates that something can be credited or assigned as the cause of something else.

are generated by

This alternative suggests that something is actively produced or created by a specific factor.

are brought about by

This alternative emphasizes that something is being actively produced or created by a specific factor.

are due to

This alternative is a more direct way of indicating causation.

are a consequence of

This alternative frames the situation as a direct result or outcome of something else.

arise from

A more concise way to express that something originates from a specific source or cause.

are triggered by

This alternative suggests that something is initiated or set off by a specific event or factor.

FAQs

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

Use "are being caused" to indicate that something is currently experiencing an effect due to a specific cause. For example, "The delays are being caused by technical issues".

What phrases can I use instead of "are being caused"?

You can use alternatives like "are resulting from", "are stemming from", or "are due to" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "are being caused" and "are caused by"?

"Are being caused" implies an ongoing or continuous action, while "are caused by" suggests a completed action or a general state. For example, "The floods are being caused by the heavy rain" (ongoing) versus "The floods are caused by deforestation" (general).

Is it better to use active or passive voice when using "are being caused"?

While "are being caused" is grammatically correct, using the active voice can often make your writing more direct and concise. For instance, instead of "The errors are being caused by the new software", consider "The new software is causing the errors".