being fed

USAGE SUMMARY

"being fed" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe the action of someone or something receiving food. Example: "The baby is being fed by her mother." Alternative expressions include "receiving food" and "nourished."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Like human beings, it learns by being fed training data.

The Economist

Is it being fed?

The New York Times

They're growing, but they're being fed.

The Guardian - Tech

"People are being fed, they're being clothed.

The New York Times

They think they're being fed by it".

The New York Times - Sports

Your ego's being fed by yourself".

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

I was fed up.

The New York Times

They beg & are fed.

The New Yorker

People were fed up.

The New York Times

ReprintsAragon is fed up.

The Economist

"We're fed up.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In metaphorical contexts, use it to describe how AI models process data or how the public receives media narratives to imply a lack of agency in the recipient.

Common error

When using "being fed" to describe information, ensure the context makes it clear whether you are implying the information is helpful or if the recipient is being manipulated. Writers often use it to imply brainwashing without providing enough supporting context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being fed" serves as a passive voice construction. In linguistic terms, it shifts the focus from the agent (the one giving) to the patient (the one receiving). According to Ludwig AI, it functions as a continuous passive which highlights an ongoing state or a specific event in time where food or data is delivered to a subject.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "being fed" is a highly versatile and grammatically standard passive phrase. Ludwig AI shows that while it is naturally used for the literal feeding of living beings, its most modern and frequent applications in news media involve the "feeding" of data into artificial intelligence or the delivery of information to the public. It carries a subtle implication of passivity on the part of the recipient, making it an effective choice for describing systems or subjects that rely on external provision. Whether you are writing about animal husbandry, pediatric health or machine learning, this phrase remains a precise and reliable choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provided with food

A more formal and descriptive way to express the act of supply.

getting food

An informal alternative suitable for casual conversation.

nourished

Focuses on the biological benefit or health aspect of receiving food.

being supplied with information

Directly addresses the metaphorical usage of being given data or news.

receiving nutrients

Technical and scientific variation used in biology or medicine.

being sustained

Suggests survival or maintenance rather than just the act of eating.

being provisioned

Suggests a more organized or large-scale distribution, often in a military or logistical context.

being fueled

Commonly used for machines, AI systems or high-energy physical activities.

consuming

The active voice counterpart that focuses on the recipient's intake.

being spoon-fed

An idiomatic expression often used negatively to imply over-simplification.

FAQs

How to use "being fed" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe the literal act of receiving food, such as "The horses are "being fed" in the stable", or metaphorically, like "The machine is "being fed" training data".

What can I say instead of "being fed"?

Depending on your context, you can use "receiving food", "provided with sustenance" or "getting nourished".

Is "being fed" correct grammar?

Yes, it is the standard passive voice construction of the verb "feed". As noted by Ludwig, it appears frequently in reputable news sources to describe both biological and technical processes.

What is the difference between "being fed" and "eating"?

The phrase ""being fed"" is passive, implying someone or something else is providing the food, whereas "eating" is active and focuses on the subject performing the action themselves.