are being formed

USAGE SUMMARY

"are being formed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase in the present continuous tense to indicate that something is happening currently and will continue to happen. For example, "New teams are being formed to compete in the upcoming tournament."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That's where the great collections are being formed today".

The New York Times - Arts

Meanwhile, new battlegrounds are being formed on the screen.

The New York Times

Systemic councils are being formed all over the place.

The Economist

Additional groups are being formed in New York, San Francisco, Palm Beach and Dallas.

The New York Times - Magazine

Some are being formed to operate off a new helicopter carrier ship.

The New York Times

Whole communities of mag-nostalgists are being formed around these brilliantly immersive archives.

Independent

"This is a new movement here in Brazil — groups are being formed," the designer said.

The New York Times

Britain needs to build 250,000 homes a year to accommodate the new households that are being formed.

The Guardian - Opinion

When T cells are being formed, they go through a culling process in the thymus, a gland near the heart.

The New York Times - Science

Fewer new households, moreover, are being formed as families double up for economic reasons, putting a further brake on demand.

The New York Times

One result is that more and more private foundations are being formed to support high-risk, high-reward research.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are being formed" to describe the ongoing creation or development of groups, ideas, or physical structures. This emphasizes the continuous nature of the process.

Common error

Avoid using the simple past tense (e.g., "were formed") when the formation process is still ongoing or has relevance to the present. "Are being formed" correctly indicates an active, current process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being formed" functions as the present continuous passive form of the verb "form". According to Ludwig AI, this construction indicates that something is currently in the process of being created or developed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are being formed" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that describes a current and ongoing process of creation or development. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's appropriate for neutral to formal contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and business writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the present continuous tense accurately reflects the active and continuous nature of the formation process. Consider alternatives like "are taking shape" or "are being created" to refine your meaning. Avoid confusing it with past tenses like "were being formed".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are being created

Replaces "formed" with "created", focusing on the act of bringing something into being.

are taking shape

Replaces "formed" with "taking shape", emphasizing the process of development and gradual appearance.

are being developed

Focuses on growth and advancement towards a complete state.

are coming into existence

Substitutes "being formed" with "coming into existence", highlighting the creation or origination of something.

are in the making

Indicates that something is currently in the process of being created or developed.

are in the process of being established

Highlights the formal process of setting up or establishing something.

are under construction

Emphasizes a process of building or assembly rather than simple formation.

are beginning to emerge

Emphasizes the initial stages of formation and visibility.

are solidifying

Highlights the process of becoming firm, stable, or established.

are coalescing

Suggests elements are coming together to form a unified whole.

FAQs

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

Use "are being formed" to describe a process where something is currently taking shape or being created. For example, "New alliances "are being formed" in the industry to address climate change."

What phrases can I use instead of "are being formed"?

You can use alternatives like "are taking shape", "are being created", or "are developing" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "are being formed" and "are formed"?

"Are being formed" indicates an ongoing process, whereas "are formed" suggests a completed state. For example, "New habits "are being formed"" implies the habits are still developing. "Habits are formed" implies they are complete.

When is it appropriate to use "are being formed" versus "were being formed"?

"Are being formed" is used in the present continuous tense to indicate something is currently happening. "Were being formed" is used in the past continuous tense to indicate something was happening in the past. Choose the tense that aligns with the timeline of your statement.