are being overwhelmed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are being overwhelmed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is currently experiencing an excessive amount of stress, pressure, or challenges. Example: "The emergency services are being overwhelmed by the number of calls coming in during the storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

We are being overwhelmed".

The New York Times

Hospitals are being overwhelmed.

The Guardian

They are being overwhelmed by well-armed gangs, international drug traffickers and systemic corruption.

The Economist

Meanwhile, social workers and other services are being overwhelmed by data.

The Guardian - Opinion

In a market newly saturated with huge efficient players, these small traditional farmers are being overwhelmed.

The New York Times

"Recovery rates are being overwhelmed by more frequent and severe mass coral bleaching".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

This discipline, however, is being overwhelmed by demographic reality.

The New York Times

Johanna Mikl-Leither, the interior minister, said Austria was being overwhelmed "because Germany is taking too few" migrants.

The Guardian

It's being overwhelmed by English, and is likely to die out".

The Guardian - Books

They're being overwhelmed by "a population that don't put a high value to education".

The New York Times - Magazine

I wanted to hear from my father whether I was being overwhelmed by the orchestra or maybe even vice versa".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are being overwhelmed", ensure that the subject is clearly defined and the cause of being overwhelmed is explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity. Be sure to add relevant context.

Common error

While grammatically correct, relying excessively on passive voice constructions like "are being overwhelmed" can make your writing sound indirect. Consider active voice alternatives for a more direct and impactful message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being overwhelmed" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of being overwhelmed. It describes a state of being burdened or overcome by something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

11%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are being overwhelmed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a current state of excessive pressure or burden. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's considered correct and usable in written English. The phrase is most common in news and media, followed by formal and business contexts. When using "are being overwhelmed", ensure clarity about what is causing the overwhelming sensation and consider active voice alternatives for a more direct tone. Related phrases include "are inundated" and "are overburdened". Remember to avoid overusing passive voice for impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are inundated

Focuses on the feeling of being flooded or swamped, emphasizing the sheer quantity of something.

are overburdened

Highlights the excessive load or responsibility someone is carrying.

are swamped

Suggests being submerged or completely occupied, often with tasks or demands.

are besieged

Implies being surrounded and under attack, either literally or figuratively.

are snowed under

An idiom indicating being buried under a large amount of work or obligations.

are crushed

Emphasizes the feeling of being defeated or subdued by overwhelming forces.

are overpowered

Highlights a loss of control or ability to resist due to superior force or pressure.

are overcome

Focuses on the emotional or psychological aspect of being overwhelmed.

are buried

Suggests being concealed or hidden by an excess of something, such as paperwork or problems.

are weighed down

Highlights the burdensome nature of the overwhelming factor, implying a sense of heaviness.

FAQs

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

You can use "are being overwhelmed" to describe a situation where individuals, systems, or resources are facing excessive pressure or demands. For example, "Hospitals "are being overwhelmed" by the influx of patients."

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

You can use alternatives like "are inundated", "are overburdened", or "are swamped" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing a situation where someone is facing an excessive amount of pressure?

While "are being overwhelmed" is grammatically correct, using an active voice construction might provide a more direct and impactful statement. For example, instead of "The system "is being overwhelmed" by data", you could say "The data is overwhelming the system".

What is the difference between "are overwhelmed" and "are being overwhelmed"?

"Are overwhelmed" implies a general state of being, whereas "are being overwhelmed" emphasizes an ongoing process or current situation. "They "are overwhelmed" by the task" suggests a continuous state, while "They "are being overwhelmed" by the new workload" suggests they are in the process of becoming overwhelmed.