are under way

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are under way" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is in progress or currently happening. Example: "The preparations for the event are under way, and we expect everything to be ready by next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Discussions are under way".

The New York Times

Investigations are under way".

The New York Times

Precautions are under way.

The New York Times - Sports

Reforms are under way.

The New York Times

Repairs are under way.

The New York Times

Such shifts are under way.

The New York Times - Tech

Some efforts are under way.

The Economist

Clinical trials are under way.

The Economist

Revitalization efforts are under way.

The New York Times - Sports

More investigations are under way.

The New York Times

Other studies are under way.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are under way" to clearly indicate that a process, project, or activity has started and is currently in progress. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, ensuring clarity and understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "is under way" when referring to multiple subjects or a plural subject. Ensure subject-verb agreement by using "are" for plural subjects and "is" for singular subjects. For instance, it's incorrect to say "The projects is under way"; instead, say "The projects are under way".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are under way" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating that a process, activity, or event is currently in progress. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are under way" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote that something is currently in progress. As Ludwig AI points out, it’s both correct and widely applicable. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, but it also appears in scientific and encyclopedic content. While its register is generally neutral, ensuring subject-verb agreement is crucial. Alternatives include "are in progress" and "are ongoing". By understanding its function, purpose, and common usage, writers can effectively employ this phrase to convey ongoing activity and progress in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are in progress

Replaces "under way" with "in progress", maintaining the sense of ongoing activity but with a slightly more formal tone.

are ongoing

Substitutes "under way" with "ongoing", emphasizing the continuous nature of the activity.

are being implemented

Focuses on the action of implementation, suggesting that plans or strategies are being put into effect.

are being executed

Highlights the execution phase, implying that specific steps are being taken to achieve a goal.

are in development

Specifically refers to the stage of development, suggesting that something is being created or improved.

are in the works

This option is more informal and suggests that something is being developed or prepared.

are being pursued

Emphasizes the active effort to achieve something, indicating that actions are being taken.

are being advanced

Indicates progress and forward movement, suggesting that something is being pushed forward.

have commenced

A more formal way of saying something has started and is now in progress.

are now active

Highlights the current state of being active or operational.

FAQs

How can I use "are under way" in a sentence?

Use "are under way" to indicate that a process or activity has begun and is currently happening. For example, "Preparations for the conference "are under way"".

What are some alternatives to "are under way"?

You can use alternatives such as "are in progress", "are ongoing", or "are being implemented" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is under way" instead of "are under way"?

The correctness depends on the subject. "Is under way" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "The project is under way"), while "are under way" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "The projects are under way").

What is the difference between "are under way" and "are being planned"?

"Are under way" means something is currently in progress, while "are being planned" means that something is in the planning stage and has not yet started. The first indicates action, while the second indicates preparation.