are being served

USAGE SUMMARY

"are being served" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that something or someone is being attended to or provided for at the present moment. Example: At the restaurant, my table and I are being served by a friendly waiter who is explaining the menu to us.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ads are being served.

The New York Times - Tech

Er, I mean dinner-break: the slebs are being served.

The Guardian - Tech

That's what we are being served in Queens.

The New York Times - Sports

His guests are being served the elegant food associated with the prince's kitchen.

The Economist

In France, he visits a school to show the gourmet meals the children are being served.

Independent

"We question the host on what drinks are being served," said Zhaarn Maheswaran, the agency manager.

The New York Times - Food

You have to see who is behind the media and what interests are being served.

Independent

People, allergies aside, don't really mind what they are being served.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

More meals are being served in part because the city is seeing more tourists.

The New York Times

That reduces fan unrest if the primary audiences for each game are being served.

The New York Times - Sports

This alone tells us we are being served something fishy - does Mrs Saatchi do municipal transport?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are being served", ensure that the subject clearly indicates who or what is receiving the service. This maintains clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "are being served" with a singular subject. Ensure that the subject is plural to maintain correct grammatical agreement. For instance, it is incorrect to say "The meal are being served." The correct form is "The meals are being served."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being served" functions as a present continuous passive construction, indicating that the subject is currently receiving an action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are being served" is a grammatically sound and very common construction in English, functioning as a present continuous passive form. Ludwig AI confirms this, providing numerous examples. It is used to describe ongoing actions, particularly in contexts related to food, services, or rights, as frequently seen in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure subject-verb agreement and consider using alternative phrasings like "are getting served" or "are currently provided" for varied expression. Remember to avoid using singular subjects with this plural verb construction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are getting served

This alternative is a more informal way to express that something is being provided.

are currently provided

This alternative emphasizes the present provision of something.

are now receiving

This alternative focuses on the act of receiving something at the present time.

are in the process of being given

This alternative emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action.

are being offered

This alternative focuses on the act of offering something, suggesting a choice or invitation.

are being delivered

This alternative suggests that something is being transported or handed over.

are undergoing service

This alternative specifically highlights that the process of service is happening.

are being catered to

This alternative implies a higher level of attention and personalized service.

are under provision

This alternative indicates that arrangements have been made for service.

are benefiting from

This alternative focuses on the positive result of receiving a service.

FAQs

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

The phrase "are being served" indicates that something is currently in the process of being provided or attended to. For example, you could say: "The guests "are being served" dinner now" or "The legal rights "are being served" by paralegals".

What are some alternatives to "are being served"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "are getting served", "are currently provided", or "are now receiving" as alternatives to "are being served".

Is "are being served" grammatically correct?

Yes, "are being served" is grammatically correct. It is the present continuous passive form of the verb "serve", used to describe an action that is happening now.

What's the difference between "are being served" and "are served"?

"Are being served" implies an ongoing action in the present, while "are served" is a simple present tense indicating a habitual or general action. For example, "The meals "are being served" now" (ongoing) versus "Meals "are served" daily" (habitual).