are hovering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are hovering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is suspended in the air or to indicate a state of uncertainty or indecision. Example: "The birds are hovering above the lake, searching for fish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Canadian forces are hovering already.

The Economist

Police helicopters are hovering above.

The Economist

They are hovering even now.

The New Yorker

They are hovering slightly above 5 percent today.

The New York Times

Coffee futures are hovering near a three-year low.

The New York Times

They are hovering somewhere between competent mediocrity and respectability.

The Washington Post

His current approval ratings are hovering just under 60%.

The Guardian

Three parties are hovering around 5%, according to Cesid.

The Guardian

American gasoline prices are hovering around $2.50 a gallon.

The New York Times

Hands are hovering over buzzers, but nobody is committing.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The fingers are hovering above pieces of paper.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are hovering" to describe objects or entities that are suspended in the air or figuratively suspended between two states. It effectively conveys a sense of anticipation or uncertainty.

Common error

Avoid using "are hovering" too frequently without providing specific details about what is being hovered over or the purpose of hovering. This can make your writing vague and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are hovering" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a state of being suspended or remaining in one place, often implying a sense of anticipation or uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Academia

9%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are hovering" is a versatile verb phrase primarily used to describe suspension in air or a state of uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability across various contexts. It's most commonly found in news and media, but also appears in academic and business settings. When using "are hovering", ensure that the context is clear and specific, and consider alternatives such as "are floating" or "are lingering" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are floating

Implies a gentle, undirected movement, differing from the more stationary or controlled sense of hovering.

are lingering

Suggests a prolonged presence in a place or state, shifting the focus from physical suspension to temporal duration.

are remaining

Indicates a continuation of being in a particular state or location, reducing the emphasis on active motion.

are looming

Implies an impending sense of threat or importance, unlike the neutral connotation of hovering.

are pending

Highlights that something is waiting to be decided or resolved. Different from the locative nature of hovering.

are in the vicinity

Focuses on the proximity without necessarily implying suspension or anticipation.

are positioned nearby

Emphasizes placement and adjacency, diverging from the more dynamic sense of hovering.

are on the verge

Highlights a state of being close to an event or condition, departing from the spatial sense of hovering.

are about to

Indicates immediate future action, contrasting with the ongoing state implied by hovering.

are nearly

Expresses a state of being close to a certain condition, thus moving away from the sense of floating of hovering.

FAQs

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

You can use "are hovering" to describe things literally floating in the air, as in "The helicopters "are hovering" above the stadium", or figuratively, to describe something in an uncertain state, such as "The company's profits "are hovering" around the break-even point".

What can I say instead of "are hovering"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "are floating" for literal suspension, "are lingering" for a prolonged presence, or "are pending" when something is awaiting a decision.

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

"Are hovering" is used with plural subjects, while "is hovering" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The bees "are hovering" around the flowers", but "The hummingbird "is hovering" near the feeder".

What's the difference between "are hovering" and "are floating"?

"Are hovering" implies a more controlled or stationary position in the air, while "are floating" suggests a more passive and undirected movement.