are being guarded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are being guarded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is currently under protection or surveillance. Example: "The valuable artifacts in the museum are being guarded by security personnel at all times."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Young owls on the forest floor are being guarded by the parents and do not need human assistance.

The New York Times

To prevent tampering, the ballots are being guarded by the police and county sheriffs until they are counted.

The New York Times

These criminals are being guarded by people "putting in 16 hours a day," Rojas said, and many are picking up side jobs to be able to afford gas to make it to the prison facility.

The Washington Post

It was doubtful that his death would affect the hostages, who are being guarded by the guerrilla group's high command and who have become potentially valuable leverage for the rebels.

The New York Times

The government and the airlines are being guarded in discussing the full-fare advertising policy, since Spirit Airlines, Allegiant and Southwest have asked the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to block the proposed change, arguing that it violates their commercial free speech rights.

The New York Times

The mountains are being guarded by the Russian army.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"They were being guarded by the Kurds".

The Guardian

Banda's residence was being guarded by the army.

The Guardian

He was said to be in custody; or maybe his hospital bed was being guarded.

The New Yorker

It was not clear whether the families were being guarded or detained.

The New York Times

Kaepernick lofted a pass to Michael Crabtree, who was being guarded by Jimmy Smith.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are being guarded", ensure that the context clearly indicates who or what is providing the protection or surveillance.

Common error

Avoid using "are being guarded" when a simpler active voice construction is more appropriate. For example, instead of "The secrets are being guarded by him", consider "He is guarding the secrets".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being guarded" functions as a passive voice construction in the present continuous tense. It describes an ongoing action of protection or surveillance. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are being guarded" is a grammatically correct and common phrase used to describe something currently under protection or surveillance. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is prevalent in news and media sources, indicating its usefulness in reporting factual information. While grammatically sound, consider using stronger active voice constructions where appropriate for more direct writing. Remember to match the tense and subject number for grammatical correctness. When choosing alternative phrases, ensure the semantic fit aligns with the intended meaning of protection or surveillance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are under guard

A more concise way of saying that something is being protected.

are being protected

Emphasizes the action of shielding from harm or danger.

are under surveillance

Focuses on the act of monitoring, suggesting a more covert observation.

are being defended

Highlights the act of actively fighting off threats.

are being watched over

Implies a caring or responsible oversight, like a guardian.

are being patrolled

Suggests a regular movement around an area for security.

are being escorted

Implies being accompanied for protection or guidance during transit.

are in custody

Implies that someone is being held by authorities.

are being chaperoned

Refers to being accompanied and supervised, often in a social setting.

are being manned

Indicates that a post or station is being staffed and operated.

FAQs

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

Use "are being guarded" to describe something currently under protection or surveillance, for example, "The documents are being guarded by security personnel".

What are some alternatives to "are being guarded"?

You can use alternatives like "are under guard", "are being protected", or "are under surveillance" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is being guarded" instead of "are being guarded"?

No, use "is being guarded" for singular subjects and "are being guarded" for plural subjects. For example, "The document is being guarded" versus "The documents are being guarded".

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

"Are being guarded" indicates present continuous tense, meaning the guarding is happening now. "Were being guarded" indicates past continuous tense, meaning the guarding was happening at some point in the past.