are being encouraged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are being encouraged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is currently receiving support or motivation to do something. Example: "Students are being encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities to enhance their skills and social interactions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Patients are being encouraged to become proficient in helping themselves.

Physiotherapy

People are being encouraged to post photos of their kisses.

The New York Times

Academics are being encouraged to offer "Chinese dream" research proposals.

The Economist

But other sorts of dialogue are being encouraged.

The Economist

The protests are being embraced, the protests are being encouraged.

The New Yorker

We are being encouraged to talk about it amongst ourselves.

The Guardian

Russell group professors are being encouraged to retire early.

The Guardian

Now they are being encouraged to stay longer.

The Guardian - Travel

Donors are being encouraged to make gifts in her honor.

The New York Times

"Actually we are being encouraged by the students to join.

The Guardian

They are being encouraged to take up the role of a clinician.

Journal of Orthopaedic Nursing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure to avoid overuse of passive voice. Consider active voice alternatives where appropriate for a more direct and engaging style.

Common error

While "are being encouraged" is grammatically sound, relying too heavily on passive constructions can make your writing seem indirect or weak. Actively rephrase sentences when possible to emphasize who is doing the encouraging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being encouraged" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject is receiving motivation or support to perform a specific action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable expression. For instance, Ludwig provides examples like "Patients are being encouraged to become proficient in helping themselves."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are being encouraged" is a grammatically correct and very common passive verb phrase used to indicate that individuals or groups are receiving support or motivation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts. It appears most frequently in news and media, with additional usage in science and business. While effective, writers should be mindful of overusing the passive voice and consider active alternatives when appropriate. Overall, "are being encouraged" is a versatile and reliable phrase for conveying the idea of active support or motivation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are being urged

This option has a connotation of being insisted or pushed into taking action.

are getting support

This alternative focuses on the assistance provided rather than the active encouragement.

are receiving motivation

This phrase highlights the impetus being given to act or achieve a goal.

are being persuaded

Here, the emphasis lies on convincing someone to do something.

are getting prompted

This suggests a more direct and possibly less voluntary form of encouragement.

are being stimulated

This version suggests that actions, ideas, or feelings are inspired.

are getting advised

Advising someone suggests guidance and suggestions instead of strong encouragement.

are being influenced

This version suggests that an action or thought is affecting how the person or people behave.

are under incitement

This phrase implies an active motivation toward a behavior.

are being induced

This suggests a more persuasive or manipulative form of encouragement.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "are being encouraged" for variety?

You can use alternatives such as "are being urged", "are receiving motivation", or "are getting support" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "are being encouraged"?

While "are being encouraged" is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "We encourage students") can often make your writing more direct and impactful. The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the recipient or the source of the encouragement.

What does "are being encouraged" imply about the situation?

It suggests that there is active support or motivation being provided to someone to take a particular action or adopt a certain behavior. It implies an ongoing process rather than a one-time event.

What's the difference between "are being encouraged" and "are required"?

"Are being encouraged" implies a suggestion or recommendation, while "are required" indicates a mandatory obligation. One is voluntary, the other is compulsory.