are being secured

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are being secured" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where an action is currently taking place, indicating that something is in the process of being made safe or protected. Example: "The funds for the project are being secured through various sponsorships and grants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Roads are being secured, clinics and schools opened, courts and local councils set up.

The Guardian - Opinion

A Pentagon spokesman, Bryan G. Whitman, said tonight, "All known Iraqi munitions sites are being secured by coalition forces".

The New York Times

General Abizaid's sobering assessment directly contradicted reassurances from a senior Pentagon official earlier in September that "all known Iraqi munitions sites are being secured by coalition forces".

The New York Times

The diminutive transgenic orange plants await the opportunity to prove themselves against the Asian citrus psyllid on its home turf in Florida while the required permits and approvals are being secured.

Cornell University

As Secretary Rumsfeld and others reminded us yesterday, coalition troops are within 50 miles of the Iraqi capital; we are approaching Baghdad from the north, the south and the west; we have taken Iraq's only port and control its coastline; the oil wells in the south are being secured for the Iraqi people; and we recently hit a large terrorist facility in northern Iraq.

The New York Times

A further 150 jobs are being secured at plants in England.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Concepts of environment and security differ on what is being secured, what is being secured against, who is trying to provide security, and what methods are being employed to provide security.

Johns Hopkins University

The government said energy supply was being secured at a "low cost" to bill-payers.

The Guardian - Business

Private information, which included tax records, bank statements, criminal records, and more, was being secured by former employees of government departments and through the use of confidence tricks.

The Guardian

We're being secured 24/7 by our organizing.

TechCrunch

The unreasonably long time taken to deliberate the situation in Nigeria is discouraging and does not give hope that justice is being secured for the victims.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are being secured", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being secured and from what threat or risk. Specify the method of securing for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "are being secured" when a more active voice would make the sentence clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The perimeter is being secured by guards", consider "Guards are securing the perimeter".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being secured" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating an action is being performed on a subject. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct. This construction is commonly used to describe actions that are in progress, emphasizing the process rather than the actor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are being secured" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive verb phrase that indicates an ongoing process of making something safe or protected. According to Ludwig, it's widely found in news, business, and scientific contexts, serving to inform or reassure about security measures in progress. While versatile, writers should be mindful of using the active voice for increased clarity and directness. Consider alternatives like "are getting protected" or "are being protected" to subtly shift the emphasis, as needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are being protected

Highlights the act of providing defense or cover.

are getting protected

Focuses on the action of protection being applied.

are becoming safe

Emphasizes the resulting state of safety.

are actively being shielded

Focuses on the ongoing effort to protect from danger or impact.

are in the course of being reinforced

Focuses on strengthening and making more secure.

are now under protection

Highlights the current state of being defended from harm.

are in the process of being obtained

Focuses on the action of acquiring or gaining possession.

are currently being guaranteed

Highlights ensuring or promising a specific outcome.

are presently being ensured

Emphasizes that something is currently being made certain.

are under safeguard

Highlights the status of being guarded or defended.

FAQs

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

The phrase "are being secured" indicates an ongoing process of making something safe or protected. For example, "The borders are being secured following the recent unrest".

What are some alternatives to "are being secured"?

You can use alternatives like "are getting protected", "are becoming safe", or "are being protected" depending on the context.

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

While "are being secured" is grammatically correct, using the active voice can often create a stronger and clearer sentence. Consider rewriting the sentence to use an active verb, such as “Guards secure the perimeter”.

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

"Are being secured" implies an ongoing action, while "have been secured" indicates that the action is completed. For example, "The documents are being secured" means the process is underway, whereas "The documents have been secured" means they are already safe.