are being defeated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are being defeated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action where a subject is currently experiencing defeat. Example: "In the final moments of the game, it became clear that the home team are being defeated by their rivals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The site is the property of Louise Clark, 85. Local Outrage Bryan Welden of the Lafayette Flag Brigade, a community group that supports United States military members returning from tours of duty, opposes the project, which Mr. Welden called an "Al Qaeda scoreboard that is very negative, it sends a message that we are being defeated".

The New York Times

The central theme of Melanie Phillips' article is that we are being defeated in Iraq because of a loss of will, nerve and courage - what in the RAF used to be called "moral fibre" - and there is an important sense in which she is right.

The Guardian

[President George W] Bush, you must admit that you have been defeated in Iraq and that you are being defeated in Afghanistan and that you will soon be defeated in Palestine, with the help and strength of God.

BBC

We only want to hear how the good guys (us) win and the bad guys (them) are being defeated.

Huffington Post

Won't that push them more to the left and right, if their centrist candidates are being defeated by you?" "There's something here that defies ideology," Nick says.

Vice

They are being defeated by the elected leadership of this city". Although a celebration complete with cake, ice cream, music and dancing was set for the steps of City Hall immediately after the historic vote, not everyone was happy with the outcome.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The Minotaur is being defeated by Theseus.

Yale University

"Because of loyal workers like you, the enemy is being defeated".

The New York Times

"It's a metaphor for an empire that is being defeated," he said nonchalantly in an interview.

The New York Times

Abubakar said on Thursday: "It doesn't matter whether he is dead or alive, the main thing is the group is being defeated".

The Guardian

Violence is down two-thirds, al-Qaida is being defeated, Sunni tribes are working with the coalition, and refugees are starting to return - 67,000 since September.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "are being defeated" to describe an ongoing process of decline or loss in situations such as sports competitions, political contests, or military conflicts.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "are being defeated" when a completed action is intended. Use "were defeated" instead to describe a past, completed defeat.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being defeated" functions as a verb phrase in the present continuous passive voice. It indicates an ongoing process where the subject is currently experiencing defeat. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are being defeated" is a grammatically sound verb phrase that describes an ongoing process of losing, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is frequently found in news media, academic papers, and science-related articles, signifying its versatility across various domains. Alternatives such as "are losing" or "are facing defeat" can be used to convey similar meanings, and its accurate usage hinges on ensuring the tense aligns with the intended time frame.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are suffering defeat

Focuses more on the experience or impact of the defeat.

are facing defeat

Highlights the anticipation or imminence of defeat.

are on the verge of defeat

Emphasizes that defeat is very close or likely.

are succumbing to defeat

Suggests a yielding or giving in to the process of being defeated.

are in the process of losing

Simplifies the phrasing to emphasize the ongoing nature of losing.

are being overcome

Shifts the focus to the force or entity causing the defeat.

are on the losing side

Highlights being part of a group that is losing.

are failing

Uses a simpler term to indicate a lack of success.

are not succeeding

Emphasizes the absence of success rather than the presence of defeat.

are being bested

Implies a skillful or strategic defeat.

FAQs

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

You can use "are being defeated" to describe a continuous action of losing, for example: "The defending champions "are being defeated" by the underdogs in this final set."

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

"Are being defeated" describes a process happening now, while "were defeated" describes a completed event in the past. "They "are being defeated"" implies the loss is still unfolding, whereas "They "were defeated"" means they lost at a specific time.

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

You can use alternatives like "are losing", "are facing defeat", or "are on the verge of defeat" depending on the context.

Is "are being defeated" formal or informal?

"Are being defeated" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness largely depends on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of your writing or speech.