are in the midst of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are in the midst of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe being in the middle of an activity or process. Example: "We are in the midst of planning the annual conference and expect to finalize the details soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

We are in the midst of crisis.

Independent

We are in the midst of life, where everything happens.

The New York Times - Books

We are in the midst of putting a penthouse up.

The New York Times

We are in the midst of a huge playoff surprise.

The New York Times - Sports

We are in the midst of a crisis.

The Guardian

Brazilians are in the midst of an identity crisis.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

America is in the midst of a demographic transformation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Now we're in the midst of another new age.

TechCrunch

Now Method is in the midst of a new chapter.

The Guardian

The Middle East is in the midst of historic change.

The New York Times

We were in the midst of a dreaded January thaw.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are in the midst of" to describe a state of ongoing activity or process. For instance, "They are in the midst of renovating their house" implies the renovation is currently underway.

Common error

Don't use "are in the midst of" when the ongoing nature of the activity is already clear from the context. Instead of saying "We are in the midst of working on this project, so it's taking time", simply say "Working on this project is taking time".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are in the midst of" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating that someone or something is currently experiencing or actively involved in a process, situation, or event. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are in the midst of" serves to indicate an ongoing activity or process. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English. While generally neutral in tone, it leans slightly towards formality and is commonly found in news, media, and scientific contexts. Alternatives such as "are currently experiencing" or "are presently undergoing" can be used to achieve a similar meaning while adjusting the level of formality. When using the phrase, ensure that the ongoing nature isn't already obvious from the sentence's context to avoid redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are currently experiencing

This alternative focuses on the experience aspect, which is different from being in the middle of something.

are presently undergoing

This option adds a sense of process and transition to the original phrase.

are actively engaged in

This option highlights a level of active involvement.

are now facing

This choice conveys a sense of confrontation or challenge.

are dealing with

This suggests managing or handling a situation.

are living through

This expression emphasizes the duration and impact of the situation.

are caught up in

Implies being absorbed or entangled in a situation.

are immersed in

Indicates a deep level of involvement or absorption.

are participating in

This choice emphasizes the action of participating in the process.

are going through

Suggests a transitional or difficult period.

FAQs

How do I use "are in the midst of" in a sentence?

Use "are in the midst of" to indicate that someone or something is currently experiencing or actively involved in a process, situation, or event. For example, "They are in the midst of a heated debate" or "We "are in the midst of renovating" our offices".

What's a formal alternative to "are in the midst of"?

In formal contexts, you can replace "are in the midst of" with phrases like "are currently experiencing" or "are presently undergoing". For instance, instead of "The company are in the midst of restructuring", you could say "The company is presently undergoing restructuring".

Is "are in the midst of" interchangeable with "are in the middle of"?

While similar, "are in the midst of" often carries a slightly more formal tone than "are in the middle of". You can typically use them interchangeably, but "are in the midst of" may be preferable in professional or academic writing.

What are common collocations with "are in the midst of"?

Common phrases used with "are in the midst of" include "are in the midst of a crisis", "are in the midst of negotiations", and "are in the midst of a transformation". These collocations help provide a clear context for the ongoing situation.