are learning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are learning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing process of acquiring knowledge or skills in the present tense. Example: "The students are learning about the solar system in their science class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The guys are learning.

Independent

Children are learning, too.

The New York Times

Both are learning.

The Guardian - Sport

We are learning this.

The Guardian - Opinion

But we are learning.

The Guardian - Sport

Children are learning machines.

The Guardian - Tech

New Yorkers are learning that.

The New Yorker

We are learning our limitations.

The New York Times

We know they are learning".

The New Yorker

You see, you are learning!

The New Yorker

We are learning every day.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are learning" to describe an ongoing process. It works well to indicate that knowledge or skills are currently being acquired. For instance, "Students are learning about climate change in their science class".

Common error

Ensure that the subject of the sentence is plural when using "are learning". A common mistake is using it with a singular subject, which requires "is learning". For example, correct: "They are learning", incorrect: "He are learning".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are learning" functions as a present continuous verb phrase, indicating an action that is currently in progress. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically sound and widely applicable. It is used to describe ongoing acquisition of knowledge or skills.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Formal & Business

13%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

8%

Huffington Post

3%

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are learning" is a grammatically correct and very common verb phrase used to describe an ongoing process of acquiring knowledge or skills. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, from news and media to formal business settings. When using "are learning", ensure that the subject is plural to maintain grammatical correctness. To enhance your writing, consider alternatives like "are acquiring knowledge" or "are gaining expertise", but be mindful of the nuances each conveys. Finally, avoid common errors such as using "are learning" with singular subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are in the process of learning

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the learning process with added descriptive words.

are acquiring knowledge

Focuses on the acquisition of knowledge rather than the general process of learning.

are gaining expertise

Highlights the development of expertise or skill in a specific area.

are developing proficiency

Focuses on the development of skill and competence.

are studying

Implies a more formal or academic setting of learning.

are being taught

Shifts the focus from the learner to the instructor or teaching process.

are under instruction

More formal way of saying 'are being taught'.

are training

Implies learning a specific skill, often through practice.

are getting acquainted with

Focuses on becoming familiar with something.

are becoming familiar with

Highlights the process of familiarization through learning.

FAQs

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

Use "are learning" to describe an ongoing action of acquiring knowledge or skills. For example, "The children "are learning" to play the piano", indicates that they are currently in the process of learning this skill.

What are some alternatives to using "are learning"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "are acquiring knowledge", "are gaining expertise", or "are studying".

Is it grammatically correct to use "are learning" with a singular subject?

No, "are learning" requires a plural subject. With a singular subject, you should use "is learning". For example, it's correct to say "They "are learning"", but for a single person, it should be "He is learning".

What's the difference between "are learning" and "have learned"?

"Are learning" describes a process that is currently happening, while "have learned" indicates that the learning process has been completed. For instance, "They "are learning" Spanish" means they are currently in the process of learning, whereas "They have learned Spanish" means they have already acquired the knowledge.