are in use

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are in use" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an object or concept that is being applied or involved in a certain situation. For example, "The medical supplies that were donated to the hospital last week are in use."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Forty are in use nationwide.

The New York Times

More than 20m copies are in use.

The Economist

How many are in use?

The Guardian - Tech

Some 900 are in use nationwide.

The New York Times

Some are in use and have proved themselves in battle.

The New York Times

At any one time, a half-dozen are in use.

The New York Times

Hepatitis C has no cure, but treatments are in use.

The New York Times

Billions of telephones are in use around the world.

Britannica

Thousands of their machines in varying setups are in use.

The New York Times

The tools that are in use show great promise.

Stanford University

Another is that 150 different dialects are in use.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the current status of equipment or systems, use "are in use" to clearly indicate they are presently being utilized. For example, "All available ventilators are in use."

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive voice. Instead of "are in use by", consider active constructions where appropriate to improve clarity and directness. For example, instead of "The tools are in use by the team", try "The team is using the tools".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are in use" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, describing the state or condition of a noun. It indicates that something is currently being utilized or operational. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are in use" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to describe the active state of something being utilized, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. With a neutral register and high frequency across various sources like news, encyclopedias, and scientific articles, it effectively communicates that a resource, tool, or system is currently operational. While alternatives such as "are being used" and "are utilized" exist, "are in use" offers a clear and direct way to convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are being used

Emphasizes the ongoing process of utilization, rather than a static state.

are utilized

A more formal way of saying "are in use", suitable for professional or academic contexts.

are operational

Focuses on the functional aspect, implying that something is ready for or currently performing its intended function.

are functional

Highlights the ability to perform a function, similar to operational but with a broader implication.

are active

Suggests a state of activity or engagement, which may not always be about usage.

are implemented

Focuses on the act of putting something into effect or use.

are available

Indicates readiness for use, but not necessarily that they are currently being used.

are working

Implies a state of being functional and performing a task, similar to operational.

are running

Suggests a continuous operation, typically for processes or systems.

are circulating

Used when referring to items or information that are being distributed or passed around.

FAQs

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

The phrase "are in use" indicates that something is currently being utilized or operated. For example, "The new software features "are being tested" by the development team".

What can I say instead of "are in use"?

You can use alternatives like "are being used", "are utilized", or "are operational" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "are in use" or "are being used"?

Both "are in use" and "are being used" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Are in use" implies a state of being utilized, while "are being used" emphasizes the ongoing process of utilization.

What's the difference between "are in use" and "are available"?

"Are in use" means something is currently being utilized, whereas "are available" indicates that something is ready for use, but not necessarily currently being used.