are being decided

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are being decided" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to decisions that are currently in the process of being made. Example: "The details of the project are being decided in the upcoming meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

A lot of things are being decided right now".

The New York Times - Sports

Anyway, these issues are being decided mostly in the states and the courts.

The New York Times

His future and the future of this community are being decided in other parts of town.

The New York Times

BASKETBALL championships are being decided, hockey tournaments are being played, baseball tryouts are being held.

The New York Times

Accountability matters when public money is at stake, and children's futures are being decided.

The Guardian - Opinion

"A lot of people said, 'The things I'm most interested in are being decided in the State Capitol.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

"More is being decided than Putin could ever have imagined".

The New York Times

"What was being decided today was my political destiny, and the destiny of my life".

The Economist

The case, in State Supreme Court in Manhattan, is being decided by Justice Daniel P. Conviser; there is no jury.

The New York Times

The baby writhed, like it, too, believed its fate was being decided.

The New Yorker

There followed several unsettled years while the fate of Syria was being decided.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are being decided" to emphasize that a decision is currently underway, rather than already made. For example: "The terms of the agreement "are being decided" during the negotiations."

Common error

Avoid using "are being decided" when the decision has already been made. Instead, use "were decided" or "have been decided". For example, instead of saying "The winners "are being decided" yesterday", say "The winners were decided yesterday".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being decided" functions as a passive present continuous verb phrase. It indicates that a decision-making process is currently underway. As Ludwig confirms, the usage of "are being decided" is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are being decided" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that functions as a passive present continuous verb phrase. As Ludwig's analysis shows, it's employed to communicate that a decision-making process is currently underway, rather than complete. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it maintains a neutral register, suitable for various types of communication. Alternative phrases like "are being determined" or "are under consideration" can provide nuanced variations, depending on the specific context. Remember to use "are being decided" to highlight the ongoing nature of decisions and avoid confusion with past tense forms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are in the process of being determined

Replaces "decided" with "determined" and adds "in the process of" for emphasis on the ongoing nature.

are currently under consideration

Emphasizes the evaluation aspect of the decision-making process.

are actively being resolved

Focuses on the resolution aspect, suitable when addressing conflicts or problems.

are presently being adjudicated

Applies specifically to legal or formal judgment contexts.

are now being settled

Suggests the final stages of decision-making, nearing completion.

are being finalized

Highlights the act of making something final.

are under deliberation

Focuses on the careful consideration involved in the decision process.

are being thrashed out

Indicates a more intense or argumentative discussion during decision-making.

are in the works

Suggests the decisions are still developing and not yet concrete.

are shaping up

Implies a gradual formation of decisions, less formal.

FAQs

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

Use "are being decided" to indicate that a decision-making process is currently in progress. For instance, "The details of the new policy "are being decided" by the committee this week".

What phrases are similar to "are being decided"?

Similar phrases include "are being determined", "are under consideration", or "are being finalized". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "are being decided" or "is being decided"?

"Are being decided" is used for plural subjects, while "is being decided" "is being decided" is for singular subjects. For example, "The issues are being decided" versus "The matter is being decided".

How does "are being decided" differ from "will be decided"?

"Are being decided" indicates a decision is in progress now, whereas "will be decided" suggests the decision process will occur in the future. The phrase "will be decided" indicates that the action of deciding is yet to take place.