are being understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are being understood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of comprehension or perception in the present continuous tense. Example: "The concepts we discussed are being understood by the students more clearly now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"This is really a question of listeners equating machines with human beings who are being understood to perform servile functions," she said.

The New York Times - Tech

They relate to their peers better than I can and it gives them confidence that they are being understood.

The Guardian

Modern and advanced societies and economies are being understood as knowledge-based.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

This allows them to evaluate whether or not they are being understood, and to adjust accordingly.

Forbes

Academic firms have all the potential of substantially transforming (in a bottom-up mode and fashion) how the economy and economic activity are being understood and processed.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

While technically you're probably speaking the same language to your consultant already, you need to make sure you are being understood exactly the way you mean it, because people use same words to mean different things.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

But they are are understood to be unable or unwilling to pay a hefty compensation package to secure their new boss.

BBC

Teachers get real-time feedback on how well their material is being understood – even on a question by question basis.

The Guardian

"The way this war is being understood will kill whatever minuscule chance remains for talks with moderate Palestinians," he said.

The New Yorker

There are many things we offer to our customer, and we now need to make sure this is being understood.

The New York Times

And finally, digital publishing is evolving as it is being understood, which makes it very difficult to know exactly what the best choices are at any given moment.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are being understood", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the understanding and what is being understood. This helps avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice, as it can make your writing sound weak or indirect. While "are being understood" is grammatically correct, consider if an active voice construction would be more impactful and clear. For example, instead of "The concepts are being understood by the students", try "The students understand the concepts".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being understood" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating an ongoing process where the subject is receiving the action of understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable, depicting present continuous comprehension.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are being understood" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive verb phrase that indicates an ongoing process of comprehension. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in several contexts. It appears frequently in News & Media, Science, and Academic sources. To ensure clarity, it's best to specify who is doing the understanding and what is being understood. While generally neutral in tone, opting for the active voice might improve directness and impact in certain contexts. Alternatives include "are being grasped" or "are being comprehended", providing subtle nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are being grasped

Emphasizes the act of mentally seizing or comprehending something.

are being comprehended

Highlights a complete and thorough understanding.

are being recognized

Stresses the act of identifying or acknowledging something.

are being acknowledged

Highlights formal acceptance or admission of something.

are being appreciated

Focuses on the value and positive reception of something.

are being realized

Indicates that something is becoming clear or apparent.

are getting across

Focuses on successfully communicating a message or idea.

are resonating

Implies that ideas or feelings are striking a chord with others.

are sinking in

Highlights the gradual absorption and understanding of information.

are being deciphered

Emphasizes the act of uncovering or interpreting something complex.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "are being understood" to sound more active?

Consider using active voice constructions such as "people understand", "individuals grasp", or "researchers comprehend". The choice depends on the specific context and who is doing the understanding.

What is the difference between "are being understood" and "are understood"?

"Are being understood" implies an ongoing process of comprehension, whereas "are understood" suggests a state of already being comprehended. The continuous form highlights the action of understanding as it unfolds.

Which is more formal, "are being understood" or "are grasped"?

"Are being understood" is generally considered more neutral, while "are grasped" can sound slightly more informal or figurative, depending on the context. In academic or professional writing, "are being understood" may be preferable for its clarity.

When is it best to use "are being understood" in a sentence?

Use "are being understood" when you want to emphasize the ongoing process of comprehension, especially when the understanding is developing or changing over time. This emphasizes that the comprehension is happening now, rather than being an established fact.