are being kidnapped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are being kidnapped" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action where someone is currently in the process of being taken against their will. Example: "The authorities received reports that several individuals are being kidnapped in the area, prompting an immediate investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

People are being kidnapped.

The New York Times

Girls are being kidnapped.

The Guardian

"Every day girls are being kidnapped in the north-east.

The Guardian

"I felt solidarity with the dead people, because I felt like they are being kidnapped," he said.

The New Yorker

Eritrean youths are being kidnapped by senior military officers, smuggled into Sudan and held to ransom, according to a report by Dutch and Swedish researchers.

The Guardian

There's quite an element of hillbilly kidnapping for ransom going on," says John. "Apparently, Afghan people are being kidnapped all the time.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Either that or I'm being kidnapped.

The Washington Post

Yep, there he is, being kidnapped.

The Guardian - Film

Witnesses said she yelled out that she was being kidnapped.

The New York Times

It is Danny who is being kidnapped for the first time.

The New York Times - Books

"They were being kidnapped all over the place, left and right.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are being kidnapped", ensure the context clearly indicates that the action is ongoing. This tense emphasizes the process rather than a completed event. For example: "Reports indicate that civilians "are being kidnapped" in the conflict zone."

Common error

Avoid using "are being kidnapped" when the situation has already concluded. Use "were kidnapped" to describe past events. For example, instead of saying "Yesterday, people are being kidnapped", say "Yesterday, people were kidnapped".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being kidnapped" functions as the present continuous passive voice, indicating an action (kidnapping) that is currently happening to a group of people. This construction emphasizes that the individuals are undergoing the process of being taken against their will. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are being kidnapped" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that describes an ongoing act of abduction. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, where reporting current events is crucial. The phrase is most effectively used to convey immediacy and urgency, emphasizing that the action is presently occurring. While generally neutral in tone, its use can evoke concern due to the serious nature of the subject. When writing, it is important to remember to ensure the tense matches the context. For example it is more correct to say "were kidnapped" when referring to past events. Finally, remember you have alternatives such as "are getting abducted", or "are held hostage", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are getting abducted

Replaces "kidnapped" with "abducted", maintaining a similar meaning with a slight difference in connotation.

are being abducted

Substitutes "kidnapped" with the more formal "abducted", implying a forced removal.

are being taken captive

Emphasizes the result of the action, focusing on the state of captivity.

are held hostage

Focuses on the state of being held captive rather than the act of being taken.

are currently being seized

Replaces "kidnapped" with "seized", emphasizing the forceful taking of individuals.

are forcibly taken

Highlights the use of force in the act of taking individuals.

are victims of kidnapping

Focuses on the victims and the act of kidnapping as a general phenomenon.

are being illegally detained

Focuses on the legal aspect of the kidnapping, highlighting its unlawful nature.

are disappearing

Implies a mysterious or unexplained removal of individuals.

face abduction

Shifts from an ongoing action to a potential or imminent threat.

FAQs

How to use "are being kidnapped" in a sentence?

Use "are being kidnapped" to describe a situation where people are currently in the process of being taken against their will. For example, "Witnesses report that several individuals "are being kidnapped" in the city center".

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

You can use alternatives like "are getting abducted", "are being abducted", or "are held hostage" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "are being kidnapped" or "were being kidnapped"?

"Are being kidnapped" describes an ongoing action in the present, while "were being kidnapped" describes an ongoing action in the past. Choose the tense that matches the timeframe of the situation you're describing. The most appropriate sentence will depend upon the time frame of the event you are describing.

What's the difference between "are being kidnapped" and "have been kidnapped"?

"Are being kidnapped" indicates an action that is currently in progress. "Have been kidnapped" indicates a completed action that happened at some point in the past and has relevance to the present. For example, "The missing children "have been kidnapped" and the police are searching for them".