are happening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are happening" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe events or actions that are currently taking place or ongoing. Example: "The changes in the environment are happening at an alarming rate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They are happening now.

Independent

Good things are happening.

The New York Times - Sports

Strange things are happening.

The New York Times

Big things are happening.

The New York Times

Quiet revolutions are happening.

The Economist

Horrible things are happening.

The Guardian - Opinion

Breakthroughs are happening.

The Guardian - Opinion

Things that are happening.

The Guardian - Books

The reforms are happening.

The Guardian

Bigger changes are happening elsewhere.

The Economist

But two things are happening.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are happening" to describe ongoing events or situations, especially when emphasizing that they are currently in progress. For example, "Significant changes are happening in the market right now".

Common error

Avoid using "are happening" when referring to completed actions in the past. Instead, use "happened" or "took place". For example, instead of saying "The event are happening yesterday", say "The event happened yesterday".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are happening" functions as a present continuous tense verb phrase. It indicates that an action or event is currently in progress or is ongoing. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples showing its usage in describing current events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are happening" is a versatile and frequently used verb phrase in the English language. Ludwig AI confirms it functions primarily to describe events that are currently in progress, as seen in numerous examples from diverse sources. Its neutral tone makes it appropriate for various contexts, especially in news and media. While "are happening" is grammatically correct and widely accepted, consider using synonyms like "are occurring" or "are taking place" for more formal settings. Remember to use "are happening" to convey the ongoing nature of an event accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are occurring

This alternative is a more formal and direct synonym, suitable for academic or professional contexts.

are taking place

This option emphasizes a planned or scheduled event, implying a degree of organization or intent.

are transpiring

This alternative is more formal and suggests a gradual unfolding of events.

are unfolding

This suggests a gradual revelation or development of events, often with an element of mystery or suspense.

are coming to pass

This alternative is a more literary or archaic way of saying "are happening", implying a sense of destiny or inevitability.

are materializing

This suggests that something previously abstract or uncertain is becoming real or concrete.

are underway

This implies that something has started and is currently in progress.

are in progress

This option is similar to "are underway" but can also refer to a state of being rather than just an event.

are developing

This emphasizes the process of growth or change, suggesting that something is evolving over time.

are emerging

This suggests that something is coming into existence or becoming known, often from a less visible state.

FAQs

How do I use "are happening" in a sentence?

Use "are happening" to describe events or situations that are currently taking place. For example, "Important meetings "are happening" this week to discuss the company's future."

What can I say instead of "are happening"?

You can use alternatives like "are occurring", "are taking place", or "are unfolding" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "are happening" or "is happening"?

"Are happening" is used with plural subjects, while "is happening" is used with singular subjects. For example, "Changes are happening" (plural) versus "A change is happening" (singular).

What's the difference between "are happening" and "will happen"?

"Are happening" refers to events occurring now, while "will happen" refers to events that will occur in the future. For example, "Breakthroughs "are happening"" (now) versus "Breakthroughs "will happen"" (in the future).