are going

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are going" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is the present continuous form of the verb "go" and indicates an action that is currently in progress or planned for the near future. Example: We are going to the movies tonight.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are going nowhere".

Independent

bonuses are going gangbusters.

The New York Times

"Discussions are going on.

Independent

"Things are going phenomenally.

The New York Times

People are going bankrupt.

The New Yorker

Bookstores are going under.

The New York Times - Books

Sizes are going quickly.

The New York Times

Investigations are going on.

Independent

Others are going farther.

The New York Times

We are going home.

The New Yorker

Others are going backwards.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are going" to express future plans, ensure that the context clearly indicates the intended time frame. For example, "We are going to the beach tomorrow" clearly indicates a future event.

Common error

Avoid using "are going" when referring to habitual actions or general truths. Use the simple present tense instead. For example, instead of "They are going to the park every Sunday", say "They go to the park every Sunday".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are going" functions primarily as the present continuous tense of the verb "go", indicating an action in progress or a future plan. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically sound and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are going" is a grammatically correct and versatile construction used to express ongoing actions, future intentions, or movement. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's widely accepted and frequently used across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, it maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. When writing, be mindful of using it to express general truths or habitual actions, and consider alternatives like will proceed for a more formal tone. The high frequency and varied authoritative sources confirm its prevalence and acceptability in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are advancing

Emphasizes continuous progress or development.

are progressing

Focuses on the ongoing nature of advancement or development.

are developing

Highlights the current and ongoing process of development.

will move

Simplifies the phrase while still conveying the sense of movement or progression.

will be moving

Combines future tense with continuous aspect, suggesting a planned future movement.

will proceed

Replaces the present continuous tense with a future indicative, focusing on a future action.

will develop

Emphasizes the future unfolding or evolution of something.

shall advance

Uses a more formal and emphatic verb to indicate forward movement or progress.

shall continue

Indicates the continuation of an action or state in a formal manner.

will unfold

Uses a more descriptive verb to suggest a gradual revelation or development.

FAQs

How can I use "are going" in a sentence?

The phrase "are going" is used to describe an action that is currently in progress or will happen in the near future. For example, "They are going to the store" or "We are going on vacation next week".

What's a less common way to say "are going"?

While "are going" is very common, you could use phrases like "will proceed" or "shall advance" for a more formal tone.

Is it correct to say "are go" instead of "are going"?

No, "are go" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "are going", which is the present continuous tense of the verb "go".

How does the meaning change if I use "were going" instead of "are going"?

Using "were going" indicates a past continuous action or a past intention that may or may not have been fulfilled. It shifts the time frame to the past, unlike "are going", which is present or future.