being harnessed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being harnessed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the process of utilizing or controlling something effectively, often in a context related to resources or technology. Example: "The energy from the sun is being harnessed to power the entire community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

High technology was being harnessed for everyday consumers.

Independent

Rather more worryingly, this technology and knowledge is being harnessed by corporations, policy makers and governments.

Independent

"It's hugely encouraging to see technology and innovation being harnessed so rationally.

The Guardian

The flourishing steel, chemical and electrical industries were being harnessed to make guns, tanks and warships.

The New York Times - Books

Some of it is being harnessed at large power stations, including those established under the Mahaweli Development Program.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Both properties are linked to a kind of basic morality, and both are being harnessed in the business of selling.

The New York Times

And back in the online world, the power of design is being harnessed at the heart of government.

The Guardian

He talks about market opportunities, about talent that is "undervalued by the marketplace" and "economic muscle that's not being harnessed".

The New York Times - Arts

It was created as a port for shipping tobacco and grain, and soon local waterways were being harnessed for flour milling.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"We're still in the world of special cases," he said, "but there are bunches of places where people are being harnessed for their native cognitive abilities".

The New York Times - Science

But emoji are now being harnessed by Facebook and Twitter to do a job for which they were never intended: to sum up our emotional responses wholesale.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "being harnessed" when you want to emphasize the controlled and effective utilization of something, such as energy, technology, or skills.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions. While "being harnessed" is grammatically correct, active voice often makes your writing more direct and engaging. Consider alternatives like "scientists are harnessing..." instead of "solar energy is being harnessed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being harnessed" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that something is receiving the action of "harnessing", implying it's being controlled and utilized for a specific purpose. As seen in Ludwig, this frequently involves resources, technology, or abilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

34%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "being harnessed" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive verb phrase that describes the controlled utilization of resources or abilities. According to Ludwig, its prevalence in news, scientific, and formal business contexts suggests a neutral register. When using "being harnessed", consider whether an active voice construction might make your writing more direct. Exploring synonyms like "being utilized" or "being leveraged" can also enhance the precision of your language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being utilized

Focuses on practical application rather than the controlled power implied by "being harnessed".

being leveraged

Implies using something to gain an advantage, more strategic than simply "being harnessed".

being employed

Similar to 'utilized', suggesting a purposeful use of resources.

being tapped

Suggests accessing a resource that was previously unused.

being exploited

Implies using something for one's own benefit, sometimes with negative connotations.

being channeled

Suggests directing something towards a specific purpose.

being directed

Similar to 'channeled', implying guidance towards a goal.

being mobilized

Suggests preparing resources for action, often in a large-scale context.

being activated

Implies initiating or setting something into motion.

being implemented

Focuses on putting a plan or system into effect.

FAQs

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

Consider using active voice constructions like "utilizing", "leveraging", or "employing". For example, instead of "the power of design is "being harnessed"", you could say "they are utilizing the power of design".

What's the difference between "being harnessed" and "being exploited"?

"Being harnessed" implies a controlled and beneficial use, while "being exploited" suggests using something unfairly or selfishly. For example, wind power is "being harnessed" for clean energy, but workers might feel they are "being exploited" if they are underpaid.

Is "being harnessed" formal or informal?

The phrase "being harnessed" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but it appears more frequently in news, scientific, and formal business writing. It maintains a neutral tone.

What are some synonyms for "being harnessed"?

Depending on the context, synonyms for "being harnessed" include "being utilized", "being leveraged", "being employed", or "being tapped".