are being framed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are being framed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is being falsely accused or misrepresented, often in a legal or social situation. Example: "The evidence against him is fabricated; he is being framed for a crime he didn't commit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

You are being framed.

The New York Times

"These charges are being framed upon pressure from external forces".

The New York Times

"The Saudis are being framed," he said at a news conference at the time.

The New York Times

The five suspects claim they are being framed by his government-in-exile.

The Economist

"The Saudis are being framed, accused of things that they did not do," he said at a news conference at the time.

The New York Times

"NGOs are being framed as enemies of Poland because we take foreign money and criticise the government," said Piotr Godzisz of Lambda, an NGO that monitors and records hate crimes against Poland's LGBT community.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

"Black people were being framed and brutalised, deported and imprisoned.

The Guardian - Books

The issue is being framed by the 2012 election.

The New York Times

The terms in which welfare is being framed is changing how we view welfare itself.

The Guardian - Opinion

The truth is that Andy is being framed by Emmerdale's very own Bad Lieutenant, DC Henshall.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But this does not have to be the existential problem it is being framed as.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are being framed" when you want to emphasize that someone is the victim of a deliberate plot to make them appear guilty. It's stronger than simply saying they are accused.

Common error

Avoid using "are being framed" when you actually mean to say someone is actively framing others. The passive voice emphasizes the victim, not the perpetrator. For instance, saying "they are framing him" indicates active framing, whereas "he is being framed" indicates he's the victim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being framed" functions as a passive voice construction, specifically a passive progressive form. This indicates that the subject is currently undergoing the action of being framed, highlighting their role as the recipient of the action, rather than the actor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are being framed" is a common passive construction used to express that a subject is currently experiencing a deliberate setup to appear guilty. Grammatically correct and frequently found in News & Media, Science and Wiki contexts, according to Ludwig AI, this phrase asserts innocence and implies conspiracy. When using this phrase, ensure that you are correctly employing the passive voice and not confusing it with the active form. Consider alternatives like "are being set up" or "are being falsely accused" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are being set up

Focuses on the deliberate act of tricking someone into a compromising situation.

are being framed up

An informal variation of "are being framed" which emphasizes the deceitfulness.

are being falsely accused

Directly states the act of being wrongly blamed for something.

are victims of a setup

Positions the subject as someone who is being framed and emphasis on deception.

are being scapegoated

Highlights the act of being made to bear the blame for others.

are being misrepresented

Emphasizes the distortion of one's true nature or actions.

are being unfairly targeted

Suggests a biased or unjust singling out for blame or criticism.

are being wrongly implicated

Focuses on the act of being connected to something negative, even if innocent.

are being made to look guilty

Highlights the attempt to create an appearance of culpability.

are being pinned with

Highlights the association of unwanted blame, responsibility or crime.

FAQs

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

The phrase "are being framed" indicates that someone is the victim of a plot to make them appear guilty. For example, "The defendants claim they "are being framed" by the police."

What does it mean when someone says they "are being framed"?

When someone says they "are being framed", it means they believe someone is deliberately trying to make them look guilty of something they didn't do. It implies a setup or conspiracy against them.

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

You can use alternatives like "are being set up", "are being falsely accused", or "are being scapegoated" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "are being framed" and "are being accused"?

"Are being accused" simply means someone is facing charges or allegations. "Are being framed" implies a deliberate effort to make someone appear guilty, suggesting a conspiracy or setup. Being framed goes beyond mere accusation by implying intentional deception.