are being pursued

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are being pursued" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something is currently being chased or sought after by someone else. Example: "The suspects are being pursued by the police after the robbery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Which are being pursued?

The New York Times

Two workarounds are being pursued.

Nature

All are being pursued by major labels.

The New York Times - Arts

They are being pursued, the statement said.

The New York Times

Two fundamental confinement approaches, magnetic and inertial, are being pursued.

Nuclear Energy An Introduction to the Concepts, Systems, and Applications of Nuclear Processes

Several on-board fuel storage approaches are being pursued.

Electrochimica Acta

Three objectives are being pursued as part of this project:.

Flow Measurement and Instrumentation

No criminal charges are being pursued against Mr. Rattner.

The New York Times

The American cases are being pursued under "class action" litigation.

The Economist

Here's some background on two approaches that are being pursued.

The New York Times

"Many legitimate tenants are being pursued by their new landlord".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are being pursued", ensure that the subject clearly identifies who or what is being chased or sought after. Clarity helps to avoid ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "are being pursued" when an active voice construction would be more direct and concise. For instance, instead of "The criminal is being pursued by the police", "The police are pursuing the criminal" is often more effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being pursued" functions as a verb phrase in the passive voice, indicating that the subject is the recipient of the action of being chased or sought after. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, this passive construction is frequently used in both formal and informal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

49%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are being pursued" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive verb phrase. According to Ludwig, it signifies that someone or something is currently the object of a chase or active search. Its usage spans diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic writing, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. Although typically employed in a neutral register, be mindful of potential active voice alternatives that might offer a more direct and impactful expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are being chased

Indicates a direct and active pursuit, often in a physical sense.

are being investigated

Highlights the ongoing process of investigation.

are being followed

Indicates a less intense or less formal form of pursuit.

are under investigation

Focuses on the investigative aspect rather than the active chasing or seeking.

are being sought after

Highlights the desirability or value of the pursued entity.

are being hunted

Emphasizes a more aggressive and determined pursuit.

are being tracked down

Suggests a methodical and persistent effort to find someone or something.

are being shadowed

Implies a discreet and covert form of pursuit.

are being stalked

Suggests a sinister or obsessive form of pursuit.

are being scouted

Suggests observation for future purposes (talent, locations, etc.).

FAQs

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

The phrase "are being pursued" indicates that someone or something is currently being chased or sought after. For example: "The suspects "are being pursued" by the authorities".

What phrases are similar to "are being pursued"?

Alternatives include "are being chased", "are being hunted", or "are under investigation", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "are being pursued"?

While "are being pursued" is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g. "The police are pursuing the suspect") can often make your writing more direct and impactful.

What's the difference between "are being pursued" and "are pursuing"?

"Are being pursued" is passive, meaning the subject is receiving the action (being chased). "Are pursuing" is active, meaning the subject is performing the action (chasing).