are being contracted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are being contracted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where an action is currently taking place, specifically referring to the process of forming a contract or agreement. Example: "Several services are being contracted to improve the efficiency of our operations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The reason is not that new cases are being contracted.

The New York Times - Health

Private security firms are being contracted to patrol Carlisle for fear of looting – something Cumbria police insist is not a widespread problem.

The Guardian

After all, it is pretty weird that a couple of state-owned companies, EDF and China's CGN, are being contracted to do work that successive UK governments have believed should be done "privately".

The Guardian - Opinion

1. Obscure boundaries exist during the bidding stage as services are being contracted out  . Obscure boundaries exist during the bidding stage as services are being contracted out.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

What it has is avid love, cultural solidity within rugby fond nations, and is expanding in the U.S. Football is being put on the national curriculum, foreign players and managers are being contracted, pitches are being built, fans are encouraged to watch matches and women's football has a particular focus.

Forbes

And it is no longer just printing and cleaning and food services that are being contracted out; it is the primary work of government.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"The documents match the movements the report describes and invoice numbers show the planes that were being contracted were on the same contract that was used to run renditions, basically".

Vice

"We plan specifically to look at work that is being contracted out to ensure that it is fiscally responsible and effective," Obama told workers at one agency.

Huffington Post

Over the years it's been contracted out to other companies and the conditions and the terms were kept pretty solidly at the beginning.

The Guardian

Everything that could be was contracted out – physicians for medical services, carpenters for making coffins, shifts for living paupers and shrouds for dead ones.

The Guardian - Opinion

Since late 2013, she's been contracted to do 50 shows per year at Planet Hollywood. .

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are being contracted", ensure the context clearly indicates who is offering the contract and who is receiving it. For example, "Services are being contracted by the company to improve efficiency."

Common error

Avoid using "are being contracted" when an active voice construction is more appropriate and direct. For example, instead of "The company are being contracted by us", use "We are contracting the company."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being contracted" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of being contracted. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are being contracted" is a grammatically sound passive construction used to describe services, individuals, or entities that are in the process of having a formal agreement established with them. As validated by Ludwig, this construction finds common usage across diverse sectors including news, scientific research, and business operations. While other related terms like "are under contract" and "are being engaged" offer similar denotations, "are being contracted" specifically denotes an action underway rather than a completed state. With a neutral tone, it's well-suited for professional communications and reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are currently under contract

This alternative directly states the current state of having a contract.

are in the process of being contracted

This adds emphasis on the ongoing process of securing a contract.

are being engaged

This uses a different verb with a similar meaning.

are being commissioned

This implies a formal request or order for services.

are being employed on contract

This specifies the nature of the employment relationship.

are being hired under contract

This explicitly states the hiring arrangement.

are being retained

This suggests ongoing services are being secured.

are securing contracts

This shifts the focus to the act of obtaining contracts.

are entering into agreements

This broader term encompasses various types of formal understandings.

are securing commitments

Implies obtaining promises or obligations, which may or may not be formal contracts.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "are being contracted" to sound more active?

You can use active voice constructions like "We are contracting", "The company is contracting", or "They are contracting" depending on who is initiating the contract.

What's the difference between "are being contracted" and "are under contract"?

"Are being contracted" indicates an ongoing process of establishing a contract, while "are under contract" signifies that the contract is already in effect.

When is it appropriate to use "are being contracted"?

Use "are being contracted" when you want to emphasize the action of forming or establishing a contractual agreement, rather than the state of already having one.

What are some alternatives to "are being contracted" in formal writing?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "are being engaged", "are being commissioned", or "are being retained" for a more sophisticated tone.