being looked at

USAGE SUMMARY

"being looked at" is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe an action that is in progress. For example: "The painting was being looked at appreciatively by the gallery visitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nothing is worse for being looked at.

The New Yorker

"Every contingency is being looked at".

The New York Times

Women watch themselves being looked at".

The New York Times

Being looked at as sexy?

The Guardian - Music

And open data is being looked at.

The Guardian

It is being looked at now".

The Guardian

The detail is being looked at thoroughly".

The Guardian

TURNBULL: Barrie, everything is being looked at.

The Guardian

It resulted in hundreds of cases being looked at again.

Independent

I am very fond of being looked at.

The New Yorker

He said the matter was being looked at "very urgently".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "being looked at" to describe a process where something is currently under evaluation, observation, or investigation. For example: "The proposal is currently being looked at by the committee."

Common error

The phrase "being looked at" is passive. Avoid using it in sentences that require an active voice. For example, instead of saying "The committee is being looked at the proposal", say "The committee is looking at the proposal".

Linguistic Context

Being looked at functions primarily as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is receiving attention or undergoing a process of examination. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe an action in progress. Examples show its versatility across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "being looked at" is a versatile and grammatically sound passive verb phrase used to describe something that is under observation, review, or investigation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It's frequently found in news and media sources, as well as in scientific and arts-related contexts. When using this phrase, it's essential to ensure it fits the passive voice construction and consider alternatives like "under consideration" or "being examined" for nuanced meanings. This phrase conveys that something is currently undergoing scrutiny and is a common way to communicate this state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being examined

Focuses on a detailed inspection or investigation.

under review

Highlights a formal examination or assessment.

being assessed

Focuses on the evaluation of value or quality.

under consideration

Emphasizes the process of evaluation and thought.

being inspected

Suggests a careful and critical observation.

under investigation

Highlights a formal inquiry into a matter.

subject to scrutiny

Implies a thorough and often critical examination.

receiving attention

Indicates that something is attracting focus and interest.

up for consideration

Emphasizes that something is available to be thought about or discussed.

in the spotlight

Suggests being the center of public attention.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "being looked at" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "under consideration", "under review", or "subject to scrutiny", depending on the specific context.

What does "being looked at" imply?

The phrase "being looked at" generally implies that something is currently under observation, evaluation, or investigation. It suggests a process is underway, and the focus is on the thing being observed rather than the observer.

Is there a difference between "being looked at" and "being examined"?

While both phrases indicate scrutiny, "being examined" often suggests a more detailed and formal investigation than "being looked at". The latter can imply a more casual or preliminary review.

When is it appropriate to use "being looked at" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "being looked at" when you want to emphasize that something is currently undergoing a process of review or observation. For instance, "The data is "being analysed" to identify potential trends."