are we doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are we doing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are inquiring about the current status or progress of an activity or task. Example: "Before we proceed with the project, can you clarify what exactly are we doing today?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

"Why are we doing this?

Independent

So, how are we doing?

The New York Times

But what are we doing?

Automation in Construction

How are we doing that?

Columbia University

What are we doing right?

University of California, Berkeley

What are we doing today?

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

So are we done?

The New Yorker

Nor are we done with special days.

The New York Times

What were we doing?

The New York Times

What were we doing there?

The New York Times - Health

Were we doing something wrong?

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are we doing" to foster open communication and collaborative problem-solving, especially when seeking feedback on ongoing activities.

Common error

Avoid using "are we doing" without a clear reference to the activity being discussed. Always ensure the context is clear to prevent confusion and misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are we doing" functions as an interrogative clause, used to inquire about an ongoing activity, plan, or course of action. It seeks information about the current state or progress. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

27%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are we doing" is a versatile and frequently used interrogative, primarily employed to inquire about ongoing activities or plans. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and is very common across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. The phrase serves the communicative purpose of seeking information and prompting discussion, and its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for diverse settings. When using "are we doing", ensure that the context is clear and specific to avoid ambiguity. Additionally, alternatives such as "how are we progressing" and "what's the status" can provide similar meanings depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are we on track

Checks if the current progress aligns with the planned schedule.

how are we progressing

Emphasizes the manner in which advancement is occurring.

how effective are we

Questions the degree to which the current actions are successful.

what's our progress

Focuses specifically on the advancement made.

what are we achieving

Focuses on the accomplishments or gains from the actions.

what results are we achieving

Emphasizes the outcomes being produced.

what's the status

Inquires about the current condition or stage.

what's the objective

Redirects attention to the intended goal of the activity.

what is our approach

Highlights the method being utilized.

where are we headed

Shifts the focus to the ultimate destination or objective.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "are we doing" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "what actions are we undertaking?", "what is our current course of action?", or "what activities are currently in progress?"

What's a more casual way to say "are we doing"?

In informal settings, you could say, "what are we up to?", "what are we working on?", or "what's the plan?"

When should I use "are we doing" instead of "are we going to do"?

"Are we doing" implies an ongoing or current activity, whereas "are we going to do" refers to a future action. Use "are we doing" when asking about something already in progress.

What is the difference between "what are we doing" and "what should we do"?

"What are we doing" inquires about the current activity or course of action. "What should we do", on the other hand, seeks suggestions or advice for future actions.