are being underestimated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are being underestimated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where someone or something is not being valued or recognized to the extent they deserve. Example: "Many talented artists are being underestimated in the current market, despite their exceptional skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Mr. Yarbrough agreed that Democrats are being underestimated.

The New York Times

But right now my feeling is that the Broncos are being underestimated.

The Guardian - Sport

"I think this is a rare case where we are being underestimated," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

Among them are rising sea levels, which Mr. Bréon, the climate scientist, fears are being underestimated.

The New York Times

But Williams says the complexities of running health services are being underestimated in the rush to devolve power.

The Guardian

Both sides agree that the difficulties involved in settling these additional areas are being underestimated and are stressing that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

But maybe she is being underestimated.

The Economist

But I believe Ed Miliband is being underestimated quite a lot.

The Guardian - Opinion

As the response rate is biased, the unemployment rate is being underestimated.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ambrose feels that yet again the intelligence of the public is being underestimated.

The Guardian

"But I was very confident that we had a balanced defense that was being underestimated.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are being underestimated", ensure the context clearly indicates who is doing the underestimating and what aspects are not being fully appreciated. Specify why or how something or someone is being undervalued for maximum impact.

Common error

Avoid using "are being underestimated" without specifying by whom. A sentence like, "The project's challenges are being underestimated" lacks clarity. It's stronger to say, "The project's challenges are being underestimated by management" or "The project's challenges are being underestimated by those unfamiliar with the technology."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being underestimated" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of being undervalued or misjudged. It is often used to highlight a discrepancy between perceived value and actual potential, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are being underestimated" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to indicate that something or someone's true value or potential is not being fully recognized. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's found most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. To maximize clarity, it's crucial to specify who is doing the underestimating and what aspects are being undervalued. Alternatives include "are undervalued", "are being overlooked", and "are not being appreciated", which offer slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are undervalued

Focuses specifically on the economic or practical worth not being properly assessed.

are being underrated

A more informal synonym for "are being underestimated".

are not being appreciated

Highlights a lack of recognition or gratitude for their positive attributes or contributions.

are being overlooked

Emphasizes the aspect of being ignored or missed entirely.

are not getting enough credit

Highlights a lack of acknowledgement or praise for achievements or qualities.

are being discounted

Suggests a deliberate reduction in importance or consideration.

are being minimized

Indicates an effort to reduce the perceived significance or impact.

are being dismissed

Implies a rejection of their value or validity without proper consideration.

are being written off

Suggests a premature abandonment of hope or expectation of success.

are being shortchanged

Focuses on the idea of not receiving fair treatment or the full benefits they deserve.

FAQs

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

You can use "are being underestimated" to indicate that something or someone's true potential, value, or impact is not being fully recognized or appreciated. For instance, "The long-term effects of climate change "are being underestimated" by many policymakers."

What phrases are similar to "are being underestimated"?

Alternatives to "are being underestimated" include phrases like "are undervalued", "are being overlooked", or "are not being appreciated", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "are being underestimated" or "is being underestimated"?

Use "are being underestimated" for plural subjects and "is being underestimated" for singular subjects. For example, "The team's capabilities "are being underestimated"" (plural) versus "The importance of education "is being underestimated"" (singular).

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

"Are being underestimated" implies a continuous or ongoing process of undervaluing, while "are underestimated" suggests a general state of being undervalued. For example, "The risks "are being underestimated"" suggests the risks are currently not being appreciated enough, and "The risks "are underestimated"" means they are generally not appreciated enough.