are being downplayed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are being downplayed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations or issues that are being minimized or not given the attention they deserve. Example: "The severity of the environmental crisis is often being downplayed by certain media outlets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Pence's term infuriates some — particularly more progressive Christians — who say important theological differences are being downplayed for political purposes.

The Washington Post

The hurried timeline has created friction, with some specialists in the federal government concerned that environmental risks are being downplayed or ignored.

The New York Times

Then again, you might wonder if its "smart" capabilities are being downplayed due to Siri just not being as advanced as its competitors.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The possibility of Russian military involvement is being downplayed by Moscow, however.

Independent

But another key ingredient of the iPad 2 that's being downplayed a bit today is the new unibody build.

TechCrunch

The general prospects of the company have improved as a result, though during my trip to Silicon Valley last week I discovered widespread skepticism about the overall network processor market, which IBM long-ago abandoned, and which is being downplayed by Intel and others as well.

Forbes

Why is Lyme addressed only by news media as a seasonal health advisory and not investigated as what it is a historic plague that is being downplayed by the very agencies responsible for protecting our public health?

HuffPost

In the past six months to a year, in his comedy, he's been downplaying the Christian aspect of his philosophy and playing up the conservative aspect, because it's an election year, and he thinks there's a bigger potential audience who are not going to be put off by his conservative beliefs.

The New Yorker

Fox Sports Net, meanwhile, has a show making its debut Monday, although the network for the time being is downplaying it and putting it on at midnight, at least in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Times

Ministers are being disingenuous in downplaying the 45 minutes as unimportant.

The Guardian

But some Republican leaders are being accused of downplaying the bill's support to avoid a vote.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are being downplayed" when you want to express that the significance or importance of something is being intentionally minimized. Be mindful of the context to ensure it accurately reflects the situation you're describing.

Common error

While "are being downplayed" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider if an active voice construction would be more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "The risks are being downplayed," you might write "They are downplaying the risks."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being downplayed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject is having its importance or significance reduced by an unspecified agent. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are being downplayed" is a grammatically correct and usable passive construction that suggests a deliberate minimization of something's importance. As shown by Ludwig AI, it is commonly found in News & Media contexts, serving the purpose of expressing concern or skepticism. When writing, consider if an active voice construction might be more impactful. While alternatives like ""are being minimized"" or ""are being underestimated"" exist, "are being downplayed" specifically implies an intentional effort to reduce significance. Remember to be mindful of the context to ensure accurate representation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are being minimized

Focuses on the act of reducing something's importance or size.

are being underestimated

Emphasizes that the true value or extent of something is not being fully recognized.

are being played down

Similar to the original phrase, but uses a more informal and active verb.

are being belittled

Suggests that something is being made to seem trivial or unimportant, often unfairly.

are being trivialized

Similar to belittled, indicating a reduction to something inconsequential.

are being brushed aside

Implies a dismissal or avoidance of addressing something important.

are being glossed over

Suggests that something is being superficially treated without proper examination.

are not being emphasized

Highlights the lack of importance given to certain aspects.

are being soft-pedaled

Indicates a deliberate effort to make something seem less significant or problematic.

are being obscured

Suggests that something is being deliberately hidden or made unclear.

FAQs

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

You can use "are being downplayed" to indicate that the importance or severity of something is being minimized. For example: "The environmental risks "are being downplayed" by the developers."

What are some alternatives to "are being downplayed"?

Alternatives include "are being minimized", "are being underestimated", or "are being played down", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "are being downplayed"?

While grammatically correct, ensure the context warrants its use. It's best suited when there's an intentional effort to diminish something's significance. Otherwise, a more neutral term might be preferable.

What is the difference between "are being downplayed" and "are being ignored"?

"Are being downplayed" suggests active minimization, while "are being ignored" implies a complete lack of attention. The former suggests a conscious effort, while the latter suggests neglect. For example, if potential consequences are acknowledged but their significance is reduced, they "are being downplayed". If they are not even acknowledged, they "are being ignored".