being altered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being altered" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a process in which something is undergoing a change, such as in this example sentence: The weather forecast is being altered due to the incoming storm.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That sense of a national character being altered is true.

The Guardian

Already the play's title is being altered, perhaps irrevocably.

The New York Times

The ecology of the land was being altered drastically.

The New York Times

Their aspirations, tastes and calculations were being altered.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Traditions, rites and roles are being altered here too.

The New York Times - Books

Yet the prospect of our Constitution being altered in this way is almost unutterably dispiriting.

The New Yorker

With the treatment unfinished and the medication still being altered, I was being recalled.

The Guardian - Opinion

Now the brand is being altered for a broader urban audience.

The New York Times - Tech

Outside the Fixers room, umbrellas in various stages of distress were being altered.

The New York Times

Perceptions of celebrity culture are being altered sufficiently to make a significant and lasting commercial impact.

The Guardian

"I could feel myself being altered chemically by what it was that I was looking at".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "being altered" to describe ongoing processes or states of change, rather than completed actions. This emphasizes the continuous nature of the transformation.

Common error

Avoid using "being altered" when the active voice is more appropriate and direct. For example, instead of "The data is being altered by the system", consider "The system alters the data" for a more concise sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being altered" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject is undergoing a process of change or modification. As shown in Ludwig, it describes an action being performed on something, rather than something performing an action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

35%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

9%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "being altered" is a common and grammatically correct passive verb phrase used to describe an ongoing process of change or modification. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. The phrase is versatile and appropriate for neutral registers. While "being altered" is generally correct, it's important to consider whether the active voice might be more direct. Remember to use "being altered" to describe ongoing processes and ensure the context clarifies what is causing the change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undergoing modification

Focuses on the process of change, highlighting the active nature of the transformation.

experiencing transformation

Emphasizes a significant change in form or nature, suggesting a more profound shift.

subject to change

Indicates a vulnerability to alteration, emphasizing external factors influencing the change.

in the process of transformation

Highlights the ongoing state of change, focusing on the dynamic nature of the alteration.

currently transforming

Similar to "being altered", but uses a more active verb tense to convey the ongoing change.

is changing

A simpler and more direct way of expressing that something is undergoing change.

is modified

Highlights the action of modifying something, placing emphasis on the agent causing the change.

becoming different

Focuses on the resulting state of change, emphasizing the shift to a new form or condition.

is under construction

Suggests an ongoing process of building or creating something new, applicable when the alteration involves development.

is in flux

Implies a state of constant change and instability, often used to describe situations undergoing significant transformation.

FAQs

How can I use "being altered" in a sentence?

"Being altered" describes an ongoing change or modification. For instance, "The recipe is "being altered" to accommodate dietary restrictions" indicates a current adjustment.

What are some alternatives to "being altered"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "undergoing modification", "experiencing transformation", or "subject to change".

Is it better to say "is altered" or "being altered"?

"Is altered" implies a completed action, while "being altered" suggests an ongoing process. For example, "The document is altered" means the change is finished, whereas "The document is "being altered"" means it's currently in the process of changing.

What's the difference between "being altered" and "changing"?

"Being altered" often implies an external force or specific action causing the change, whereas "changing" is a more general term for becoming different. "The landscape is "being altered" by construction" highlights an action, while "The landscape is "changing" with the seasons" is a natural process.