being contacted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being contacted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of someone reaching out or communicating with another person. Example: "I appreciate being contacted about the job opportunity; it shows that my application was considered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The 94 people affected are being contacted.

The New York Times

But patients are still being contacted.

The New York Times

His next of kin are being contacted.

The Guardian

"Now she's being contacted by all these labs right now".

The New York Times

"And Brendon originally did it without being contacted by anyone".

The New York Times - Sports

The Department for Education gave no comment after being contacted.

The Guardian

PayPal came back with a similar response after being contacted for this article.

The New York Times

After being contacted by The Independent, it deleted the guidance from its website.

Independent

A spokeswoman added: "Families are being contacted by their funeral directors regarding alternative arrangements".

Independent

Insurers argued that affected households were being contacted, including by email.

The Guardian

But after being contacted by Money, BT put their hands up.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "being contacted", ensure the subject clearly identifies who is initiating the contact. For example, "Customers are being contacted by our support team" is more specific than "Customers are being contacted."

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice. While "being contacted" is grammatically correct, consider whether an active construction would be clearer and more direct. Instead of "The department is being contacted for comment", use "We contacted the department for comment".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being contacted" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject of the sentence is receiving the action of contact, rather than initiating it. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage across diverse contexts, highlighting its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "being contacted" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe the state of receiving communication. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability across diverse registers. While highly prevalent in news and scientific contexts, it is essential to be mindful of overuse and prefer the active voice when the actor is known and important. By using this guide, writers can confidently and correctly incorporate "being contacted" into their writing, while also appreciating when to use more direct and active alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being reached

Emphasizes the passive reception of communication.

getting in touch with

Focuses on the action of establishing communication.

being approached

Suggests a more direct and intentional form of contact.

hearing from

Highlights the receipt of information or a message.

communicated with

Formal and direct; focusing on the act of communication itself.

being notified

Implies an official or formal communication.

being informed

Highlights that information is being conveyed.

being alerted

Suggests contact due to a warning or urgent matter.

getting a hold of

More informal, emphasizes the effort to make contact.

spoken to

Focuses on verbal communication.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "being contacted" to sound more active?

You can use alternatives like "getting in touch with", "reaching out to", or "approaching" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "being contacted" or "contacted"?

Both are correct, but "contacted" is more concise. "Being contacted" emphasizes the ongoing or passive nature of the contact. For example, "I was contacted" versus "I am being contacted".

What's the difference between "being contacted" and "being consulted"?

"Being contacted" implies a simple communication, while "being consulted" suggests that someone's opinion or expertise is being sought.

When is it best to use the passive voice with "being contacted"?

Use the passive voice when the actor is unknown or unimportant, or when you want to emphasize the receiver of the action. For example, "The victims are being contacted" focuses on the victims.