are being seen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'are being seen' is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is often used in the present continuous passive voice to indicate that something is happening right now. For instance, you could say: "The Northern Lights are being seen in the night sky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What birds are being seen at Sapsucker Woods?

Cornell University

Signs of a tight credit market already are being seen.

The New York Times

Similar losses are being seen around the world.

The New York Times - Science

Rather, it is about how those movies are being seen.

The New York Times

In addition, individuals are being seen further to the North and West.

Mammalian Biology

Currently, patients are being seen by several specialists who carry other insurance.

The New York Times

Children are being killed because they are being seen as future fighters.

Independent

This now blows that away and it means cricketers are being seen as targets".

Independent

Not so, according to Barns, who says real benefits are being seen.

The Guardian

They're nature's great recyclers and are being seen as the new plastic.

The Guardian

Similar numbers are being seen in follow-on versions of the CORe program offered by HBX.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are being seen" to describe a process happening now, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the observation or perception.

Common error

Avoid using "are being seen" excessively, as it can make your writing sound indirect and less engaging. Consider active voice alternatives where appropriate to create a more direct and impactful message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being seen" functions as a verb phrase in the present continuous passive voice. It indicates that the subject is currently undergoing the action of being observed or perceived. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this usage is grammatically sound and well-supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

23%

Academia

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are being seen" functions as a present continuous passive verb phrase, indicating that something is currently in the process of being observed or perceived. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It is commonly found in news and media, scientific publications, and academic writing, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal register. While versatile, overuse should be avoided to maintain writing clarity. Remember to consider active voice alternatives for more direct and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are getting noticed

Focuses on the act of gaining attention or recognition.

are being perceived

Focuses on how something is interpreted or understood by others.

are becoming visible

Emphasizes the increasing clarity or prominence of something.

are currently viewed

Emphasizes the present state of something being observed or considered.

are being recognized

Emphasizes the acknowledgement or acceptance of something.

are under observation

Highlights a state of being monitored or watched carefully.

are now apparent

Highlights that something has become clear or obvious.

are being detected

Indicates the discovery or identification of something previously unnoticed.

are in evidence

Suggests that something is present and can be observed or proven.

are undergoing assessment

Focuses on the act of being examined or evaluated.

FAQs

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

Use "are being seen" to describe something currently happening or being observed. For example, "The effects of climate change "are being seen" globally."

What are some alternatives to "are being seen"?

You can use alternatives such as "are getting noticed", "are becoming visible", or "are under observation" depending on the specific context.

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

While "are being seen" is grammatically correct, using the active voice can sometimes make your writing more direct. Consider if an active voice construction such as "people see" or "we observe" would be more effective.

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

"Are being seen" indicates something is currently happening, while "have been seen" refers to something observed at some point in the past. For example, "The results "are being seen" now," versus "The results "have been seen" previously."