are not doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are not doing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something is currently not engaged in an action or activity. Example: "They are not doing their homework right now, which is concerning for their grades."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We are not doing this.

The New Yorker

"They are not doing well.

The Guardian

You are not doing physics.

Yale University

We are not doing that again.

The Guardian

The Detroit Tigers are not doing well.

The New York Times - Sports

They are not doing that any longer.

The New York Times

"No, my players are not doing that.

Independent

We are not doing great," he said.

The New York Times

"They are not doing it for fun.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

You are not done yet.

WikiHow

We aren't doing rebuttals.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are not doing" to clearly indicate a current lack of action or involvement. Ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Be careful not to use "are not doing" when you mean something is never done or generally avoided. "We are not doing that right now" differs significantly from "We never do that."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not doing" serves as a present continuous negative construction, indicating that an action is not currently in progress. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to deny an activity, state a lack of engagement, or express refusal. It generally emphasizes an ongoing state of non-performance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are not doing" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to indicate a present continuous negative action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, though primarily found in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly specify what action is not being performed and avoid using it to describe general or habitual inactions. While generally neutral in tone, avoid contractions in formal writing. Consider alternatives like "are refraining from" or "are avoiding" for more nuanced expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are refraining from

Implies a conscious decision to abstain from an action.

are avoiding

Suggests an effort to steer clear of a particular activity or situation.

are not performing

Focuses on the lack of execution or completion of a task.

are failing to do

Highlights a lack of success or inability to accomplish something.

are neglecting to do

Indicates an oversight or lack of attention in performing a duty.

are not undertaking

Emphasizes that a project or endeavor has not been initiated.

are abstaining from

Suggests a voluntary choice to not participate in something, often for ethical or moral reasons.

are not engaging in

Focuses on the absence of participation or involvement in an activity.

aren't carrying out

Implies that a plan or instruction is not being executed.

aren't executing

Highlights the absence of implementing or putting something into effect.

FAQs

How can I use "are not doing" in a sentence?

Use "are not doing" to express that an action is currently not taking place. For example, "They are not doing their homework." It indicates a temporary state of inaction.

What are some alternatives to "are not doing"?

You can use alternatives like "are avoiding", "are refraining from", or "are not performing" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "aren't doing" instead of "are not doing"?

Yes, "aren't doing" is a contraction of "are not doing" and is perfectly acceptable in informal contexts. Both phrases have the same meaning, but "aren't doing" is less formal.

What's the difference between "are not doing" and "will not do"?

"Are not doing" indicates a present state of inaction, whereas "will not do" expresses a future refusal or intention to not perform an action. For example: "They are not doing their chores now" vs "They will not do their chores later".