are still developing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'are still developing' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is currently in the process of changing or improving. For example, "The new features of the software application are still developing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But we are far away from the end of a development, we are still developing.

The Guardian - Sport

Their brains are still developing.

The New York Times

After all, the babies are still developing.

The New York Times

Other applications of evolutionary biology to medicine are still developing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"At that age, children's eyes are still developing," he said.

The New York Times

However, mix design methods and testing procedures are still developing.

Building and Environment

Why should we deny it to those whose faculties are still developing?

The New York Times

President Obama and his aides are still developing a policy for Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The New York Times

"We are still developing residential products in Spain," Ms. Felipe Larios said.

The New York Times

And while their lungs are still developing, they have yet to develop strong immune systems.

The New York Times - Health

And that means a lot of training at a time when their bodies are still developing.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the subject of "are still developing" is something that can logically undergo a developmental process. For instance, it would be appropriate to say, "The company's strategies are still developing", but not, "The table is still developing."

Common error

Avoid using "are still developing" when referring to something that should already be complete or is expected to be static. For example, saying "The instructions are still developing" implies a lack of clarity or completion that could be conveyed more directly by stating "The instructions are incomplete."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are still developing" functions as a verb phrase indicating a continuous action. It describes an ongoing process of growth, refinement, or improvement, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

37%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are still developing" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe ongoing processes of growth, refinement, or improvement. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and frequently employed across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. The phrase indicates that something is currently in progress and hasn't reached its final state. While "are still developing" is generally appropriate, avoid using it for static or complete subjects. Alternatives like "are evolving" or "are progressing" can offer subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are increasingly developing

Emphasizes the increasing pace of development.

are continually developing

Highlights the continuous nature of the development.

are constantly developing

Implies that development is happening without interruption.

are currently developing

Focuses on the present time frame of development.

are actively developing

Highlights the active participation in the development process.

are evolving

Uses a single word to convey the idea of gradual development.

are progressing

Indicates forward movement in development.

are maturing

Suggests a natural and gradual development process.

are under construction

Implies that something is being actively built or developed.

are in progress

Focuses on the ongoing state of development.

FAQs

How do I use "are still developing" in a sentence?

Use "are still developing" to describe something that is currently in the process of growth or improvement. For example, "The features of the new software "are still developing"".

What can I say instead of "are still developing"?

You can use alternatives like "are evolving", "are progressing", or "are maturing" depending on the context.

When is it inappropriate to use "are still developing"?

It's generally inappropriate to use "are still developing" when referring to something that should be static or complete. For instance, it wouldn't make sense to say "The final product "are still developing"" if the product is meant to be finished.

What's the difference between "are still developing" and "are developing"?

"Are developing" indicates a general process of growth, while ""are still developing"" emphasizes the ongoing and incomplete nature of the development. The addition of "still" highlights that the process is not yet finished.