are being fed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are being fed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action where something is currently receiving food or information. Example: "The animals in the zoo are being fed at scheduled times throughout the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Some are being fed to cows.

The Guardian - Opinion

"People are being fed, they're being clothed.

The New York Times

The rest are being fed worksheets.

The Guardian

One nervously says they are being fed and are unharmed.

The New Yorker

So now the media are being fed another story.

The Guardian

"Many are being fed lots of rice and soy sauce – this is dinner or breakfast.

The Guardian

So often the public were, and still are, being fed disingenuous rhetoric about prison and prisoners.

The Guardian

Half of all antibiotics manufactured in this country are being fed to livestock.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

They're growing, but they're being fed.

The Guardian - Tech

There were some reports that inmates were being fed intravenously.

The New York Times

They were placed in incubators and were being fed intravenously.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the act of providing information, consider using "are being fed" to convey a sense of continuous or systematic delivery of data. For instance, "The public is being fed a steady stream of news updates."

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice with "are being fed", which can make your writing sound indirect or weak. Instead, consider using active voice where appropriate to create a more direct and engaging sentence. For example, instead of "The data are being fed into the system", try "The system receives the data".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being fed" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of being fed. Ludwig examples show its widespread use across diverse subjects, from animals and people to information and data. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are being fed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive verb phrase. As Ludwig examples show, it describes the act of providing sustenance, information, or resources, and is found across a range of contexts from news media to scientific publications. Although its register is generally neutral, it can be adapted to various levels of formality depending on the surrounding vocabulary. While it's a valid phrase, it is best to avoid overuse of the passive voice with "are being fed", which can make your writing sound indirect or weak. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is perfectly usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are being provided with food

Expands on "fed" to specify the provision of "food".

are receiving nourishment

Replaces "fed" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing sustenance.

are being nourished by

Similar to 'are receiving nourishment' but highlights the source of the nourishment.

are being given sustenance

Replaces "fed" with "given sustenance", emphasizing the act of providing essential support.

are getting sustenance

Substitutes "being fed" with a phrase highlighting the provision of essential resources.

are being sustained by

Emphasizes the life-sustaining aspect of what is being provided.

are provisioned with

A more formal way of saying 'are provided with', indicating a deliberate act of supplying resources.

are being supplied

Broader term that encompasses the provision of any resource, not just food.

are consuming

Focuses on the act of eating or utilizing resources rather than the act of providing them.

are benefiting from

Shifts the focus to the positive outcome of receiving something beneficial.

FAQs

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

"Are being fed" indicates a continuous action where someone or something is receiving nourishment, information, or other resources. For example, "The refugees "are being fed" by aid organizations", or "The algorithm "is being fed" new data daily".

What are some alternatives to "are being fed"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "are receiving nourishment", "are being supplied", or "are consuming". The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the provision of food, information, or other resources.

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

While "are being fed" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can weaken your writing. Consider using active voice when possible for a more direct and engaging style. For example, instead of "The animals "are being fed" by the zookeepers", you could say "The zookeepers feed the animals".

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

"Are being fed" describes a current, ongoing action, while "were being fed" describes an action that was ongoing in the past. For example, "The birds "are being fed" now" versus "The birds were being fed earlier this morning".