are being entertained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are being entertained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is currently receiving amusement or enjoyment from an activity or event. Example: "While the guests are being entertained by the magician, the staff prepares for the next part of the evening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

We are being entertained to death.

The New York Times

My hunch is that audiences have little interest in category distinctions so long as they are being entertained.

The Guardian

Enrique Mayer and I are being entertained by the constant jokes and physical comedy that is Greg.

The New York Times

The president's hopes for economic co-operation and reconciliation are being entertained only because of progress on denuclearisation, they say; in July, North Korea closed its Soviet-era reactor at Yongbyon and has since promised to declare and disable all its programmes by the end of the year.

The Economist

Against one's own pleasure and connection to one's own past — and to friends, here and gone — through the game, it now requires a thick head not to grasp that we are being entertained by gladiators who are shortening their lives and pleasures in exchange for our attention, and so our money.

The New Yorker

Now I could envision a state dinner for the President of France, during which, in the room where the cellist Pablo Casals played so memorably for the Kennedys, the guests are being entertained by a tag-team exhibition from World Wrestling Entertainment.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Ordinarily, they bring us things like piano concerts and all we are is entertained.' ".

The New York Times - Arts

Generation X is being entertained by beefs between big stars.

The Guardian - Music

I was warm, I was being entertained and I hadn't paid a dime.

The New York Times - Arts

She seemed like a royal who was being entertained at court.

The New York Times

They're not being marketed to or at, they're being entertained".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are being entertained" to describe an ongoing or current state of amusement or enjoyment, particularly when someone or something is actively providing the entertainment. For example, "The guests are being entertained by a live band".

Common error

Avoid using the active voice when the passive voice is more appropriate. Saying "The band is entertaining the guests" is correct, but if you want to focus on the guests' experience, "The guests are being entertained by the band" is more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being entertained" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of being entertained. It highlights that someone or something is actively providing amusement or enjoyment to the subject. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are being entertained" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive verb phrase that indicates someone or something is currently receiving amusement or enjoyment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used across various contexts, particularly in news and media and wiki sources. When writing, it's important to use the passive voice correctly and consider alternatives like ""are being amused"" or ""are getting enjoyment"" depending on the desired nuance. Remember to focus on the experience of being entertained rather than the act of entertaining. Always strive for clarity and precision in your writing to convey your intended meaning effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are being amused

Uses a synonym for "entertained", emphasizing lighthearted enjoyment.

are receiving entertainment

Replaces "being entertained" with a more formal phrasing, focusing on the act of receiving amusement.

are experiencing amusement

A more formal way to describe the act of being entertained.

are getting enjoyment

Focuses on the positive feeling derived from the entertainment experience.

are finding pleasure

Focuses on the aspect of pleasure derived from the entertainment

are being captivated

Highlights the engaging and enthralling aspect of the entertainment.

are being delighted

Emphasizes the pleasurable and joyful aspect of the entertainment.

are being regaled

Suggests being entertained through storytelling or captivating conversation.

are in receipt of entertainment

A very formal variation that emphasizes the reception of entertainment.

are under entertainment

A less common and slightly unconventional phrasing, suggesting the state of receiving entertainment.

FAQs

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

You can use "are being entertained" to describe a situation where people are currently receiving amusement or enjoyment. For example: "The children "are being entertained" by the clown."

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

Alternatives include "are being amused", "are getting enjoyment", or "are receiving entertainment" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "are entertain" instead of "are being entertained"?

No, "are entertain" is grammatically incorrect. The correct passive form requires the auxiliary verb "be" in the continuous form, resulting in "are being entertained".

What is the difference between "are being entertained" and "were being entertained"?

"Are being entertained" describes a present, ongoing action, while "were being entertained" describes a past, ongoing action. For example, "They "are being entertained" now," versus "They "were being entertained" earlier."