are being characterized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are being characterized" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an ongoing process of defining or describing the qualities or features of something. Example: "The various species of birds are being characterized by their unique mating calls and plumage."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

You all now are being characterized as unsophisticated barbarians.

The New York Times

Instead of being seen as important colleagues, pharmaceutical company employees are being characterized as the enemy.

The New York Times

These diblock copolymers are being characterized using NMR to determine the degree and location of substitution.

Journal of Controlled Release

You can make a case for or against that, but it's unfair that the owners are being characterized as a bunch of crooks because of it".

The New York Times

Accordingly, distinct biomarkers of diagnostic and prognostic value but of unknown biological function are being characterized functionally.

Immunology Letters

Spirochetes isolated from ticks and wildlife are being characterized antigenically and genetically, and the infectivity of selected isolates for vertebrates and ticks evaluated.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Bad news for Borders: its road to recovery is being characterized as "unrealistic" and "doubtful".

The New Yorker

Senator Joseph I. Lieberman's recent support of President Bush's Iraq policies is being characterized as disloyal to the Democratic Party.

The New York Times

Mixing performance is being characterized by an effective diffusion coefficient.

Chemical Engineering Research and Design

"I think if anything is somewhat upsetting about it is that my adaptation is being characterized as simply bawdy," he declared.

The New York Times

Judge Engelmayer agreed that, clearly, Muslims were being characterized as savages.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are being characterized" when you want to emphasize an ongoing process of defining or describing something's attributes from an external perspective. It's effective for maintaining a neutral or objective tone.

Common error

Avoid using "are being characterized" when the active voice would be more direct and impactful. For instance, instead of "The study showed that participants are being characterized by their peers as leaders", consider "The study showed that participants' peers characterized them as leaders".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being characterized" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating an action being performed upon a subject. The examples from Ludwig demonstrate its usage in describing ongoing processes of defining or portraying attributes. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are being characterized" is a grammatically correct passive verb phrase used to describe the ongoing process of defining something's attributes. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It is most commonly found in scientific and news media contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider whether the active voice might be more direct in certain situations. Alternative phrases include "are being described" or "are being defined", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are being described

Focuses on providing an account or representation of something, rather than specifically defining its characteristics.

are being defined

Emphasizes the act of setting out the precise meaning or limits of something.

are being portrayed

Highlights the manner in which something is depicted or represented, often with a specific intention or viewpoint.

are being labeled

Focuses on assigning a specific name or classification to something.

are being classified

Emphasizes the act of organizing things into categories or groups based on shared characteristics.

are being regarded

Indicates how something is viewed or considered by others.

are being assessed

Highlights the evaluation or judgment of something's quality or value.

are being interpreted

Focuses on the way something is understood or explained.

are being considered

Indicates that something is being taken into account or thought about.

are being viewed

Emphasizes the perspective from which something is observed or examined.

FAQs

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

Use "are being characterized" to describe an ongoing process where something is being defined by specific traits. For example, "The new policies "are being characterized" as a significant shift towards sustainability".

What are some alternatives to "are being characterized"?

Depending on the nuance you want to convey, you could use alternatives like "are being described", "are being defined", or "are being portrayed". Each subtly shifts the emphasis.

Is "are being characterized" formal or informal?

"Are being characterized" is generally considered neutral to formal. It is appropriate for academic, professional, and journalistic contexts. More informal settings might favor simpler phrasing.

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

"Are being characterized" is used with plural subjects, while "is being characterized" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The data points "are being characterized" by their variability," versus "The dataset "is being characterized" by its completeness".