are being conferred

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are being conferred" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is being granted or bestowed, often in formal or academic settings. Example: "The degrees are being conferred during the graduation ceremony."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"You are being conferred advantages throughout your life, from your schooldays into the workplace," says Walker.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The relevance and potential of these promoters in biotechnology has been documented [ 4- 6], particularly for use in gene-stacking approaches where more than one gene is required to confer a particular trait trangenically or more than one trait is being conferred e.g. resistance to a suite of pests [ 7].

BMC Plant Biology

Related vector platforms are being used to confer drug sensitivity and resistance, and emerging technologies are promising more sophisticated designer gene engineered T cells.

British Journal of Haematology

14 In this study we found that the HA is steadily evolving and that rather than antigenic drift, mutations are being introduced in regions that confer structural stability.

Advances and Applications in Bioinformatics and Chemistry

Trainees who fail the test are being given repeated opportunities to get the right answers to the same questions, and are also being allowed to confer with others during the exams under the noses of instructors, a source has told the Guardian.

The Guardian

Never mind the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award, the Landon Donovan Next Landon Donovan award is constantly being conferred and revoked.

The Guardian - Sport

Fantasy always plays a big role in Hollywood calendars, but it's now being conferred to the talents of leading auteurs.

The New Yorker

Jurisdiction given under the amended Measure could, as the Archbishops hope, instead be regarded as being conferred "by the decision of the Church as a whole", independently of the diocesan.

The Guardian - Opinion

For seasons with low attack rates it may be preferable to improve case capture by using less restrictive clinical criteria particularly when culture confirmation is being employed to confer specificity.

BMC Infectious Diseases

What is conferred is the discretion to withhold funds".

The New York Times

The titles are to be conferred by the queen at Buckingham Palace.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are being conferred" in formal writing when you want to emphasize the act of bestowing or granting something, particularly when it involves a formal process or ceremony. For example, use it to describe the awarding of degrees, honors, or titles.

Common error

Avoid using "are being conferred" when the active voice would be more direct and clear. For instance, instead of saying "Advantages are being conferred by the program", consider "The program confers advantages".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being conferred" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something is receiving or undergoing the action of being granted or bestowed. Ludwig's examples illustrate this passive reception, where advantages or traits are given.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are being conferred" is a grammatically sound passive construction used to formally describe the act of bestowing or granting something. According to Ludwig, it is most commonly found in scientific and news contexts, reflecting its suitability for objective and detached descriptions. While "are being conferred" is correct, it is relatively rare. Writers should be mindful of using the active voice for clarity and directness in many situations. Alternatives like "are being granted" or "are being awarded" might be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are being granted

Focuses on the act of formally giving or allowing something, similar to conferring but often in a legal or official context.

are being awarded

Specifically refers to giving something as a prize or honor, narrowing the context to achievements or merit.

are being bestowed

Emphasizes the act of giving something as a gift or honor, often with a sense of generosity or high regard.

are being given

A more general term for the act of providing something, lacking the formality or specific implication of conferring.

are being presented

Highlights the act of formally introducing or offering something, often in a ceremony or official setting.

are being invested

Suggests endowing someone with power, authority, or a specific quality.

are being transmitted

Focuses on the act of passing something on, often referring to information, signals, or diseases.

are being bequeathed

Refers to leaving something in a will or passing it on as an inheritance, specifically in a legal context.

are being assigned

Focuses on the act of allocating or designating something to someone for a specific purpose.

are being transferred

A broad term indicating the movement of something from one entity to another, lacking the specific nuance of bestowing or granting.

FAQs

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

You can use "are being conferred" to describe a formal bestowal. For example, "The honorary degrees are being conferred at the graduation ceremony".

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

You can use alternatives like "are being granted", "are being awarded", or "are being bestowed" depending on the context.

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

No, "is being conferred" is used with singular subjects, while "are being conferred" is used with plural subjects. For example, "The degree is being conferred", but "The degrees are being conferred".

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

"Are being conferred" indicates an ongoing process, while "are conferred" indicates a general or habitual action. For example, "The awards are conferred annually" versus "The awards are being conferred right now".