are not singing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are not singing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone or a group is not currently engaged in the act of singing. Example: "The children are not singing during the assembly, which is unusual for them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Bartenders are not singing.

The New York Times

The Georgia Tech fans, a wise bunch, are not singing too gleefully.

The Economist

That said, the thin ladies and Cee Lo Green are not singing yet.

The Guardian

"The beauty of the Internet is we are not singing the linear blues in a nonlinear age," he said.

The New York Times

Even when the characters are not singing, a few somber notes from the cello or a sprinkling of piano arpeggios give us subtle intimations of the inner turbulence in their souls.

The New York Times

When they are not singing, the band's members host their own TV variety show, SmapxSmap, and have made numerous appearances in dramas and films, helping Johnny and Associates to become the country's most successful talent agency.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

"Unfortunately they are not sung by many people," he told me.

The New York Times - Magazine

But they are not sung to her father, who is alive, and is in the play.

The New York Times

"Even when they aren't singing duets, they are complementary".

The New York Times

Racists aren't singing at football any more.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The city and state aren't singing from the same page," one New York elected official said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are not singing", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is not singing. For example: "The birds are not singing this morning."

Common error

Avoid using "is not singing" when referring to plural subjects; use "are not singing" instead. For example, "The choir members are not singing today" is correct, whereas "The choir members is not singing today" is incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not singing" functions as a present continuous negative verb phrase. It indicates an action (singing) that is not currently taking place. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are not singing" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that indicates the absence of singing in a present context. According to Ludwig AI's assessment, it's correct and versatile, suitable for various situations. It’s most frequently found in news and media, with a neutral register. When writing, remember to use the correct plural verb form and ensure clarity in your context. Related phrases can provide alternative ways to convey similar meanings, such as "are silent" or "are not performing vocally".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aren't singing

Contraction of "are not singing", differing only in form.

not singing

Shorter version, omitting "are", suitable in some contexts.

are silent

Focuses on the absence of vocalization, more general than singing.

are refraining from singing

Emphasizes a deliberate choice not to sing.

are not performing

Broader term, including other types of performances besides singing.

are not vocalizing

More technical term for not producing sounds with the voice.

are not chanting

Specifies a type of singing that is not happening.

are not humming

Specifies a type of singing that is not happening.

are not crooning

Specifies a type of singing that is not happening.

are not serenading

Specifies a type of singing that is not happening.

FAQs

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

You can use "are not singing" to describe a situation where multiple people or things are not currently singing. For example, "The children "are not singing" during the lesson today".

What's a more formal way to say "are not singing"?

A more formal alternative to "are not singing" might be "are not performing vocally" or "are silent" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "is not singing" instead of "are not singing"?

No, "is not singing" is for singular subjects while "are not singing" is for plural subjects. For example, "He is not singing", but "They "are not singing"".

What does it mean when someone says "they aren't singing from the same hymn sheet"?

This idiom means they "are not in agreement" or coordinating well. It uses the idea of singers needing to follow the same music to perform in harmony.