are being protected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are being protected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that something is currently under protection or being safeguarded. Example: "The endangered species are being protected by various conservation efforts to ensure their survival."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Water supplies are being protected.

The New York Times

The logic is that you are being protected from yourself.

The Economist

"People have a sense that they are being protected, that they are more secure," he said.

The New York Times

The Republican delegates must be impressed with how well they are being protected this week.

The New York Times

The banks are being protected while people's rights are being violated.

The Guardian

As a result, seniors are being protected while children are getting pummeled.

The New York Times

Many are angry at mass lay-offs while they feel fat-cat bosses are being protected by the government.

The Guardian

Regulations typically are intended to ensure that residents receive proper mental health services and that their rights are being protected.

The New York Times

Rather, consumers are being encouraged to jump to the conclusion that they are being protected from something crude.

The New York Times

"People need to know their jobs are being protected and businesses need clarity about the basis of future trade.

The Guardian - Business

Rarely do critics admit that those voters may feel that their interests are being protected and pursued by the "populists".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are being protected", ensure that the context clearly indicates who or what is providing the protection and what is being protected against. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "is being protected" when referring to a plural subject. The correct form is "are being protected" for plural subjects to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being protected" functions as a passive present continuous verb phrase. It indicates that the subject is currently receiving protection. Ludwig confirms the correctness and common usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are being protected" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive verb phrase indicating an ongoing state of safeguarding. As confirmed by Ludwig, it correctly conveys that a subject (usually plural) is currently receiving protection. Its usage is most prevalent in neutral contexts, such as news and media, and can be useful to indicate what/who is providing the protection. Remember to ensure subject-verb agreement and avoid using it with singular subjects. Alternatives like "are safeguarded" or "are under protection" can be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are under protection

Replaces the progressive form "being protected" with a more static description using "under protection".

are safeguarded

Uses a single verb to convey the same meaning of being kept safe or defended.

are defended

Focuses on the active defense aspect of protection.

are shielded

Emphasizes the act of providing a barrier or cover against harm.

are secured

Highlights the act of making something safe or preventing it from being accessed or harmed.

are preserved

Focuses on maintaining something in its original state, often from decay or destruction.

enjoy protection

Indicates the state of benefiting from protective measures.

receive protection

Emphasizes the act of being given protection.

are kept safe

A more descriptive way of saying that something is being guarded or secured.

have been secured

Indicates a past action that resulted in a state of being protected.

FAQs

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

You can use "are being protected" to describe a situation where something is currently receiving protection. For example, "The endangered species "are being protected" by the government".

What are some alternatives to "are being protected"?

Alternatives include "are safeguarded", "are defended", or "are under protection", depending on the specific context.

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

No, "is being protected" is used for singular subjects, while "are being protected" is used for plural subjects. For example, "the document is being protected" versus "the documents "are being protected"".

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

"Are being protected" indicates an ongoing action, while "have been protected" indicates a completed action. For example, "The files "are being protected"" means the protection is currently happening, whereas "The files have been protected" means the protection has already been completed.