Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
are being illustrated
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "are being illustrated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a process or action that is currently happening, particularly in contexts involving examples, explanations, or visual representations. Example: "In this presentation, the key concepts are being illustrated through various diagrams and charts."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Academia
Alternative expressions(20)
are being shown
are being demonstrated
is being illustrated
are being showcased
are being clarified
are being presented
are being represented
are being ascertained
are being characterized
are being revealed
are being proven
are being replicated
are being realised
are being explained
are being outlined
are being indicated
are being applied
are being learnt
are being suggested
are being raised
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
4 human-written examples
By a fascinating coincidence, both these aspects of the orchid family – their beauty and their vulnerability – are being illustrated right now by the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew.
News & Media
And you never want to end up being in a position where a BBC presenter is pointing out to you that the things you claim the BBC aren't reporting are being illustrated with screenshots from the BBC.
News & Media
These steps are being illustrated graphically in the PFD diagram in Fig. 4.
Science
These possibilities are being illustrated on the web, by video games, and by some a few educational products.
Academia
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
56 human-written examples
You don't have to stretch metaphor very far to get what's being illustrated: the social and pictorial rules about sex that White was confronting.
News & Media
Where applicable, this is being illustrated with relevant details from the fuel cell research at Forschungszentrum Jülich's IEF-3.
Science
Pauleta had made enough space to avoid Lilian Thuram before hitting the side-net after 53 minutes, but Portugal's chronic difficulty in finding players at the centre of attack was being illustrated again.
News & Media
The pitfalls and pathways are being expanded into an educational curriculum that was experimentally used at the University of Michigan and is being illustrated through an online article series in collaboration with the MIT Sloan Initiative for Sustainable Business & Society.
Academia
Stories that he wrote for the Pekar Project — a Web comic that is illustrated in rotating installments by Ms. Seibel, Joseph Remnant, Rick Parker and Sean Pryor — are still to come, as is a 2011 graphic novel, "Cleveland," that is being illustrated by Mr. Remnant.
News & Media
Thus a methodology is being illustrated which enables the consideration of rate dependent material behaviour in a fracture mechanical analysis under thermomechanical loading.
The impact of exchange rate fluctuations on purchased quantity is being illustrated in Fig. 5.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "are being illustrated", ensure that the subject of the sentence is clearly defined and that the method of illustration (e.g. diagrams, examples) is evident to the reader.
Common error
Avoid using "are being illustrated" with purely abstract subjects that cannot be visually or concretely represented. For example, instead of saying "The challenges are being illustrated", consider "The challenges are becoming apparent" or "The challenges are being highlighted".
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "are being illustrated" functions as a passive progressive construction, indicating that a subject is currently undergoing the process of being clarified or exemplified. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various contexts where visual or concrete representations are used to enhance understanding.
Frequent in
News & Media
37%
Science
35%
Academia
28%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Formal & Business
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "are being illustrated" is a versatile phrase used to describe the process of making something clearer through examples, visuals, or demonstrations. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and sees frequent use across news, science, and academic contexts. When writing, ensure the subject can be concretely illustrated and consider using alternatives like "are being exemplified" or "are being demonstrated" for subtle shifts in emphasis. Common errors include using it with abstract subjects lacking concrete representation. This phrase is a valuable tool for enhancing clarity and comprehension in various forms of communication.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
are being exemplified
This alternative uses a slightly more formal term, focusing on instances serving as examples.
are being demonstrated
This alternative emphasizes the act of showing or proving something.
are being showcased
This alternative implies that something is being presented in an attractive or favorable way.
are being highlighted
This alternative emphasizes that something is being given special attention.
are being clarified
This alternative focuses on making something easier to understand through explanation or examples.
are being depicted
This alternative suggests a visual representation is being used.
are being presented
This alternative is a more general term for showing something.
are being embodied
This alternative implies that something abstract is taking a concrete form.
are being represented
This alternative focuses on how something stands for or symbolizes something else.
are being evidenced
This alternative highlights that something is being supported by evidence.
FAQs
How can I use "are being illustrated" in a sentence?
You can use "are being illustrated" to describe how concepts or ideas are made clearer through examples, diagrams, or other visual aids. For example: "The key concepts "are being illustrated" through various charts."
What are some alternatives to "are being illustrated"?
Alternatives include "are being exemplified", "are being demonstrated", or "are being highlighted", depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.
When is it appropriate to use "are being illustrated"?
It is appropriate when you want to emphasize that something is currently in the process of being made clearer or more understandable, often through visual or concrete examples. This can be useful in academic papers, presentations, or any situation where clarity is key.
Is there a difference between "are being illustrated" and "is being illustrated"?
"Are being illustrated" is used with plural subjects, while "is being illustrated" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The points "are being illustrated" by the data", but "The point "is being illustrated" by the graph".
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested