are being upheld

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are being upheld" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing rules, principles, or standards that are currently being maintained or supported. Example: "The rights of all citizens are being upheld by the new legislation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

What principles are being upheld?

The New York Times

"One sees that certain standards are being upheld," he observes.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Then answer the following questions: Do you feel that these rights are being upheld today?

The New York Times

PPI is still by far the biggest source of complaints to the FOS, and more than two-thirds (70 per cent) are being upheld.

Independent

The agreement also calls for a small number of contract workers to be transferred to direct employment and for more inspectors to ensure that the rights of contract workers are being upheld.

The New York Times

Bahi, Raman and Abdulmoeen from Aleppo are being upheld by everyone from the local paper to Junk as the role models for the way the town might function in future.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

But Lucas said the incident left her with no confidence that the law on weapons sales was being upheld.

The Guardian

On Tuesday, an announcement was made that the convictions of 20 prominent dissidents were being upheld, despite widespread condemnation over the politicised nature of the judicial process.

The Guardian - Opinion

Furthermore, unity, or organic form, as it was called, was being upheld as an ideal, and components that worked against unity — for example, ballets, with pretty girls in tutus, in the middle of tragic operas — were now deplored.

The New Yorker

He is a former member of Fifa's Transparency and Compliance Committee, a taskforce set up by football's governing body to help ensure "the principles of good governance, transparency and zero tolerance towards any wrongdoing" were being upheld.

Independent

As ESPN's Bonnie D Ford pointedly observed, it is reassuring to know etiquette was being upheld even as Diack's cabal ransacked the sport and undermined the efforts of clean athletes.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are being upheld" when you want to emphasize that rules, principles, or rights are actively being maintained and supported. This phrasing often implies an ongoing effort to ensure compliance.

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice, as it can make your writing sound vague or indirect. Ensure that the agent performing the action is clear, or that the focus is appropriately on the recipient of the action rather than the actor. Use active voice whenever you can.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being upheld" functions as a passive voice construction indicating that certain rules, principles, or rights are currently being maintained or supported. Ludwig confirms this correct and usable structure in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

20%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are being upheld" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that signifies the active maintenance or support of specific rules, principles, or rights. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely applicable across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and general informational domains. When writing, remember to consider the nuances of passive voice and ensure clarity. Alternative phrases like "are being maintained" or "are being enforced" can provide subtle shifts in emphasis, depending on the intended meaning. The phrase's prevalence in authoritative sources reinforces its validity and usefulness in formal and neutral communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are being maintained

Replaces "upheld" with "maintained", focusing on the act of keeping something in its current state.

are being enforced

Emphasizes the active enforcement of rules or laws.

are being supported

Highlights the support and backing given to principles or standards.

are being honored

Focuses on the respect and adherence to agreements or promises.

are being preserved

Emphasizes the act of protecting something from damage or change.

are being defended

Highlights the act of protecting something against attack or criticism.

are being protected

Focuses on the act of keeping something safe from harm.

are being observed

Emphasizes the act of following or complying with rules or customs.

are being respected

Highlights the act of showing regard for something.

are being heeded

Emphasizes the act of paying attention to and following advice or warnings.

FAQs

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

You can use "are being upheld" to describe situations where rules, laws, principles, or rights are being actively maintained or supported. For example: "The principles of fair trade are being upheld through this initiative."

What phrases are similar to "are being upheld"?

Alternatives include "are being maintained", "are being enforced", or "are being supported", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "are being upheld" or "is being upheld"?

"Are being upheld" is used with plural subjects, while "is being upheld" is used with singular subjects. For example: "The rights of the citizens are being upheld" versus "The rule of law is being upheld."

What's the difference between "are being upheld" and "were being upheld"?

"Are being upheld" describes a present, ongoing situation, while "were being upheld" describes a situation that was ongoing in the past. For example: "The standards are being upheld today," versus "The standards were being upheld last year."