are being characterised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are being characterised" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an ongoing process of defining or describing the characteristics of something. Example: "The new policies are being characterised as progressive and inclusive by various stakeholders."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Everyday people who are riding bikes for health, employment, education or just plain enjoyment, are being characterised as a menace to society people who require surveillance, supervision and control," it said in a statement.

The Guardian

The Englishman is helping to fill City's home-grown player quota of five in the reduced Champions League squad of 21, another of the FFP punishments, which are being characterised as hardly ideal but no hindrance by the club as they should last for only the coming campaign.

The Guardian - Sport

As a result, biochemical functions of BRCA1 and BRCA2 proteins are being characterised in great detail.

British Journal of Cancer

The precise mechanism by which cytoskeletal and intracellular elements mediate this function are being characterised.

British Journal of Cancer

In many cases the properties determined are similar to those of the plasma membrane KATP channel lending support to the possibility that it is actually these channels present in contaminating plasma membranes that are being characterised, rather than true mitochondrial channels (see Section 8.2).

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - General Subjects

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The second period, as they so often are, was characterised by tiring limbs and thudding challenges.

The Guardian - Sport

"He is stunned that his action is being characterised as terrorism," she said.

Independent

Barack Obama is making what is being characterised in the US as last-ditch efforts to persuade Congress to support the controversial trade deal.

The Guardian

It suits the Conservatives that Ed Miliband is being characterised by the media as an oddball and a loon.

Vice

Safeguarding adults from abuse or neglect has too often been been characterised by a patronising, checklist-based approach to those in need of care.

The Guardian

"I would hope that the undertaking of the US foreign policy will not be be characterised by the divisions that we see in [its] domestic policy".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are being characterised" to denote an ongoing process of assigning specific qualities or traits to a subject. Ensure the context clearly indicates who is doing the characterising and what criteria they are using.

Common error

Avoid using "is being characterised" when referring to plural subjects. The correct form for plural subjects is "are being characterised".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being characterised" functions as a passive verb construction. This indicates that the subject is receiving the action of being described or defined. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase denotes an ongoing process of ascribing qualities or traits.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are being characterised" is a grammatically sound passive verb phrase used to describe how something is currently being understood or defined. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and suitable for written English. Although relatively rare, its usage is appropriate in neutral to formal contexts such as science and news media. Common alternatives include phrases like "are being described" and "are being defined". When using this phrase, ensure correct subject-verb agreement and a clear indication of who is doing the characterising.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are being described

Focuses on the act of describing rather than characterising.

are being defined

Emphasizes the act of setting boundaries or clarifying meaning.

are being portrayed

Highlights the manner in which something is presented, often with a specific intention.

are being labeled

Focuses on assigning a specific label or category.

are being considered

Indicates that something is under evaluation or thought.

are being regarded

Emphasizes the way something is perceived or esteemed.

are being viewed

Highlights the perspective from which something is observed.

are being assessed

Focuses on the evaluation or judgment of something.

are being interpreted

Emphasizes the subjective understanding or explanation of something.

are being understood

Focuses on the comprehension or grasp of something's meaning.

FAQs

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

Use "are being characterised" to describe how something is currently being described or understood by others. For example: "The new policies are being characterised as progressive."

What are some alternatives to "are being characterised"?

You can use alternatives like "are being described", "are being defined", or "are being portrayed" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "are being characterised" or "are characterised"?

"Are being characterised" implies an ongoing process, whereas "are characterised" describes a general or inherent trait. Choose the form that best reflects the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "is being characterised" and "are being characterised"?

"Is being characterised" is used for singular subjects, while "are being characterised" is used for plural subjects. For example, "The policy is being characterised as unfair," versus "The policies are being characterised as unfair."