are petitioning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are petitioning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an ongoing action of formally requesting something, typically from an authority or organization. Example: "The citizens are petitioning the local government for better public transportation options."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now, many of them are petitioning the government to name him Poet Laureate.

The New York Times

Companies are petitioning to build more than a dozen export terminals.

The New York Times

In North Dakota, Democrats are petitioning him to change his mind and run again.

The New York Times

They have written to international tourist bodies to request assistance and are petitioning the government.

The Guardian

European law requires people to be physically present in the country they are petitioning for asylum.

The Guardian

Amish religious leaders are petitioning to handle a ponzi scheme in church, not court.

The New York Times

Plant owners are petitioning the federal government to extend their operating licences.

The Guardian - Opinion

And now, thousands of people from Princeton and elsewhere are petitioning the governor for a pardon.

The New York Times

The families of the rest are petitioning the court for their return.

The Guardian

But residents who are petitioning against the project have raised a host of objections.

The New York Times

That's why Google and other companies are petitioning for the right to disclose their participation.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are petitioning", ensure that the subject is clearly defined, and the entity being petitioned is identified. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "are petitioning for" when "are petitioning" already implies requesting something. Instead, focus on what is being requested by stating, "They "are petitioning" the council for new traffic lights."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are petitioning" functions as a verb phrase indicating an ongoing action of formally requesting something from an authority or organization. Ludwig confirms this usage, showing the phrase in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are petitioning" is a grammatically correct and widely used verb phrase that indicates an ongoing action of formally requesting something from an authority. As Ludwig highlights, this phrase is commonly found in news and academic contexts. While its use is generally neutral to professional, it is important to ensure the context warrants its formality. Alternatives such as "are requesting" or "are appealing to" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to avoid redundancy, such as using "are petitioning for" when "are petitioning" already implies the act of requesting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are requesting

A direct and simple synonym for "petitioning", suitable for various contexts.

are appealing to

Replaces "petitioning" with a more general term for making a request, often with an emotional element.

are appealing for

Similar to "are appealing to", but emphasizes the reason or object of the appeal.

are applying for

Suggests a more structured and formal request, often in bureaucratic settings.

are lobbying for

Implies an organized effort to influence a decision, often in a political context.

are pleading for

Emphasizes the urgency or desperation of the request.

are imploring

A more formal and emphatic version of "are pleading for".

are urging

Suggests a strong recommendation or encouragement, often directed at someone in authority.

are calling for

Similar to "are urging", but can also imply a demand.

are seeking

A more general term for trying to obtain something, which can include making a formal request.

FAQs

How is "are petitioning" used in a sentence?

Use "are petitioning" to indicate a formal request is being made to an authority. For example, "The residents "are petitioning" the city council for improved park facilities."

What's the difference between "are petitioning" and "are requesting"?

"Are petitioning" implies a more formal, often written, request usually involving a group, whereas "are requesting" is a general term for asking. For example, a group might "are petitioning" the government, while an individual is "are requesting" information.

What can I say instead of "are petitioning"?

Alternatives include "are appealing to", "are requesting", or "are lobbying for", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "are petitioning for"?

While not grammatically incorrect, "are petitioning for" can sometimes be redundant. It's often better to simply state what the subject "are petitioning", such as "They "are petitioning" the court to review the case" instead of "They "are petitioning" for the court to review the case."