are being collected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are being collected" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts where an action is currently happening or ongoing, particularly in passive constructions. Example: "The data are being collected for the annual report."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The postcode and full name are being collected to allow for collection of deprivation index from standard local registries.

BMJ Open

Seeds are being collected for propagation.

The New York Times - Travel

Stories are being collected on their website.

The Guardian

Not only sports statues are being collected in Spain.

The New York Times - Sports

Stool samples are being collected and the crew are disinfecting and cleaning the ship.

The Guardian

There is some question as to whether samples are being collected from all the bodies found.

The New York Times

Many Internet users have no idea that records of their actions are being collected and used.

The New York Times - Tech

But as the market grows for donor tissue, he added, "more tissues are being collected later and later".

The New York Times

"The knowledge and experience are in hand, and necessary funds have been and are being collected," Mr.Hamilton added.

The New York Times

Clinical materials from patients before, during and after treatments withclinical end points are being collected.

Clinical and Translational Medicine

Data are being collected at an ever increasing rate and some representative examples of reconstructed events are shown.

Nuclear Physics B - Proceedings Supplements

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are being collected" in passive voice constructions to emphasize the action rather than the actor. This is particularly useful when the collector is unknown or unimportant.

Common error

Avoid using "are being collected" when a simple present tense (e.g., "are collected") or a past tense (e.g., "were collected") is more appropriate. "Are being collected" indicates an ongoing process, so ensure the context reflects this continuous action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being collected" functions as a passive progressive verb construction. It describes an action (collecting) that is currently in progress and is being done to the subject, not by the subject. Ludwig confirms its widespread use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

59%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are being collected" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase across diverse contexts, particularly in scientific and news-related domains. As verified by Ludwig, it serves to describe an ongoing, passive process of gathering items or information. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately represents an action currently in progress and adjust your phrasing to match the subject's plurality. For variety and impact, consider using synonyms like "are currently gathered" or "are in the process of collection". By following these guidelines, you can effectively communicate the ongoing nature of a collection process in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are in the process of collection

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the collection process.

are currently being gathered

Uses "gathered" as a synonym for collected, highlighting the present action.

are presently being assembled

Replaces "collected" with "assembled", suggesting a more structured gathering.

are actively accumulating

Focuses on the accumulation aspect, implying a gradual increase in quantity.

are under accumulation

Positions the items or information as being subjected to the process of accumulation.

are being compiled at this time

Specifies that the compilation (collection) is happening in the present.

are undergoing collation

Uses "collation", a more formal term for collecting and arranging information.

are being harvested

Implies a systematic extraction or collection, especially of data.

are being systematically acquired

Highlights the deliberate and methodical nature of the collection.

are subject to accumulation

Focuses on the idea that the items or information are experiencing a process of accumulation.

FAQs

How do I use "are being collected" in a sentence?

Use "are being collected" to describe an ongoing action where multiple items or pieces of information are currently in the process of being gathered. For example, "Data are being collected to analyze the market trends".

What can I say instead of "are being collected"?

You can use alternatives like "are currently gathered", "are in the process of collection", or "are actively accumulating" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is being collected" instead of "are being collected"?

No, "is being collected" is used with singular nouns, while "are being collected" is used with plural nouns. For example, "Data are being collected", but "Information is being collected".

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

"Are being collected" refers to a current, ongoing process, while "were being collected" refers to a process that was ongoing in the past. For example, "Samples are being collected now", versus "Samples were being collected yesterday".