are being kept

USAGE SUMMARY

"are being kept" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that something continues to be in the same state or that something is being done habitually. For example, "Our records are being kept up-to-date."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"People are being kept down.

Independent

Yard lights are being kept on.

The New York Times

Ticket prices are being kept below $15.

The Economist

Funeral services are being kept private.

The New York Times

Brazil are being kept well under wraps.

The Guardian - Sport

The Coronation's military horses are being kept in Hyde Park.

The New Yorker

But their contingency plans are being kept close to hand.

The Economist

Unfortunately, the details of the settlement are being kept confidential.

The Economist

Foreign journalists are being kept out of most Tibetan areas.

The Economist

These days, to a greater degree, commitments are being kept.

The New York Times

Others are being kept as an airborne reserve.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are being kept" to describe ongoing actions where something is continuously maintained or preserved, such as "records are being kept up-to-date".

Common error

Avoid using "are being kept" when a simple past tense like "were kept" is more appropriate for completed actions. For example, use "the documents were kept" instead of "the documents are being kept" if the action of keeping the documents has already finished.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being kept" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of being kept. This usage aligns with Ludwig's examples where subjects range from "people" to "details" receiving the action. It's a standard grammatical construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are being kept" is a grammatically sound passive verb phrase used to describe the state of something being maintained or preserved. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a valid and commonly used phrase across various contexts, primarily in news and media. To avoid errors, ensure correct tense usage, opting for simpler past tenses when the action is completed. Using related phrases like "are being maintained" can add nuance to your writing. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "are being kept" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are being maintained

Focuses on the continuous preservation of a state or condition.

are being preserved

Emphasizes protecting something from harm or decay.

are being held

Highlights the action of retaining or containing something.

are being retained

Stresses the act of keeping something in one's possession or memory.

are being protected

Emphasizes the safeguarding of something from danger or threat.

are being guarded

Focuses on protecting something to prevent escape or entry.

are being stockpiled

Implies accumulation of goods or materials for future use.

are being conserved

Highlights the careful management and preservation of resources.

are being stored

Focuses on placing items in a location for safekeeping.

are being concealed

Emphasizes the act of hiding something from view.

FAQs

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

You can use "are being kept" to describe an ongoing action where something is continuously maintained or preserved. For example, "The books "are being kept" in the library's archive."

What's a more formal alternative to "are being kept"?

A more formal alternative could be "are being maintained", which suggests a more deliberate and continuous effort to preserve something.

Is "are being keeped" grammatically correct?

No, "are being keeped" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""are being kept"", where "kept" is the past participle of "keep".

When should I use "are being kept" versus "were being kept"?

"Are being kept" indicates a present continuous passive action, while "were being kept" indicates a past continuous passive action. Use "are being kept" when the action is happening now, and "were being kept" when the action happened in the past.