are being distinguished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are being distinguished" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a process where certain items or concepts are being recognized or set apart from others. Example: "In this study, two distinct species are being distinguished based on their genetic markers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Unicentric and multicentric Castleman's disease are being distinguished, the latter harboring an unfavorable prognosis.

BMC Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

If non-physician assisted suicide is be distinguished from 'mutilating' suicide, this asks for a different approach than suicide crisis intervention, for example suicide-attempt prevention.

BMC Health Services Research

But there's little reward for being distinguished in such an undistinguished play.

The New York Times

LATELY, Amy Poehler said, she's been having trouble distinguishing her real life from a feverish dream.

The New York Times - Arts

It's been keen to distinguish itself from a pure co-working space.

TechCrunch

"It's been difficult to distinguish the difference between nurturing and sex," she told the Sun.

Vice

Such faith is to be distinguished from knowledge.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is not clear how this is to be distinguished from a high-flown sadism".

The Guardian - Books

High-fashion photography was, and is, distinguished by technical polish and polished artifice.

The New York Times - Arts

Tropical sprue is to be distinguished from celiac disease, which is also called nontropical sprue.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Man-made fibres are to be distinguished from natural fibres such as silk, cotton, and wool.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are being distinguished" when you want to emphasize that a process of differentiation is actively taking place. For example, "The subtle nuances of the artwork are being distinguished by the expert panel."

Common error

Avoid using "are being distinguished" when an active voice construction would be more direct and concise. For example, instead of "The differences are being distinguished by the researchers", consider "The researchers are distinguishing the differences".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being distinguished" functions as a passive voice verb phrase, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of being differentiated. Ludwig AI confirms this usage as correct and suitable for describing an ongoing process of differentiation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

34%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are being distinguished" is a grammatically correct passive voice construction used to describe an active process of differentiation. As Ludwig AI confirms, its register is generally formal and scientific, making it suitable for academic, scientific, and professional contexts. While relatively rare in overall usage, the phrase effectively emphasizes the action of distinguishing, and is often preferred when the actor is unknown or less important than the process itself. Alternatives such as "are being differentiated" or "are being identified" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are being differentiated

Replaces "distinguished" with "differentiated", emphasizing the act of recognizing differences.

are being set apart

Emphasizes the act of making items distinct or unique.

are being discerned

Uses "discerned" to suggest a more subtle or careful act of distinguishing.

are being recognized

Highlights the act of acknowledging the distinct nature of items.

are being identified

Focuses on the act of recognizing and naming distinct entities.

are being separated

Highlights the act of physically or conceptually dividing items.

are being classified

Emphasizes the organization of items into distinct categories.

are being demarcated

Implies setting clear boundaries or limits between items.

are being contrasted

Highlights the comparison of items to emphasize their differences.

are being singled out

Focuses on the act of selecting one item from a group.

FAQs

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

Use "are being distinguished" to show a process where items or concepts are actively being set apart or differentiated. For instance, "Different types of cells "are being distinguished" based on their unique protein markers".

What are some alternatives to "are being distinguished"?

You can use alternatives like "are being differentiated", "are being identified", or "are being separated" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the passive voice "are being distinguished" over the active voice?

The passive voice is suitable when the action is more important than the actor, or when the actor is unknown or unimportant. For example, "The subtle variations "are being distinguished" by sophisticated algorithms" emphasizes the process rather than who or what is doing the distinguishing.

Is "are being distinguished" formal or informal?

"Are being distinguished" is generally considered a neutral to formal expression, suitable for academic, scientific, or professional writing. Less formal contexts might use simpler phrasing.