being traced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being traced" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is being followed or monitored, often in relation to tracking or surveillance. Example: "The suspect was being traced by law enforcement through his digital footprint."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Their emails used to upload this information are being traced, I imagine, as we speak".

Independent

This is happening in the diamond industry, where gems are being traced from mines to consumers.

Harvard Business Review

The assassins hid in Prague's St Cyril and Methodius Orthodox cathedral before being traced.

The Guardian

As of this spring, roughly half of intercepted communications and other links were being traced to Karachi.

The New York Times

The Korean artist Seung-Young Kim films the letter I being traced in sand, then erased by wind.

The New York Times - Arts

He told Garibaldi that he could wire money to Central and South America without it being traced.

The New Yorker

"More and more people feel uncomfortable about being traced everywhere, about a brave new world," she said.

The Guardian - Tech

But he cautioned that there might be other explanations for so many guns' being traced back to a dealer.

The New York Times

And that the preliminary drawing for this very portrait shows no sign whatsoever of being traced from a lens projection.

The New York Times - Books

Vicente Safon, who runs a bakery in Higienópolis, a leafy district, came to work recently to find one being traced on his doorstep.

The Economist

These police, firefighters and waves of citizen volunteers need ongoing care for illnesses being traced to the toxic fumes, dust and smoke at ground zero.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "being traced", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is performing the tracing action. Clarity is key in legal, scientific, or technical writing.

Common error

Avoid using "being traced" in contexts where the actor performing the tracing is unclear. Specify who is doing the tracing to avoid ambiguity and maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being traced" functions as a passive gerund phrase, indicating an action that is being performed on the subject. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it often appears in contexts where tracking or monitoring is occurring.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "being traced" is a versatile phrase indicating an ongoing process of tracking or monitoring. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse sources, from news media to scientific publications. The phrase functions as a passive gerund, typically appearing in neutral registers. When writing, clarity is paramount, especially when specifying the actor performing the tracing. Alternatives such as "being tracked" and "being monitored" can be employed depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being tracked

This alternative focuses specifically on following the movement or progress of something.

being monitored

This suggests a continuous and systematic observation for a specific purpose.

under surveillance

This phrase implies a more direct and intentional monitoring process than "being traced".

being followed

This implies a more direct and potentially physical form of tracking.

subject to tracking

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the imposition of tracking.

being detected

This implies the use of technology or methods to identify something that might otherwise be hidden.

under investigation

This phrase indicates a formal inquiry is underway, often in legal or security contexts.

subject to observation

A more formal way of saying something is being watched or monitored.

being located

Focuses on the act of discovering someone or something's position.

under scrutiny

Implies a detailed examination or observation, often critical or suspicious.

FAQs

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

Use "being traced" to describe a situation where something or someone is being tracked or followed. For example, "The package is "being traced" through the delivery system".

What are some alternatives to "being traced"?

Alternatives include "being tracked", "being monitored", or "under surveillance" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "being traced" or "is traced"?

"Being traced" implies a continuous action, while "is traced" suggests a completed or habitual action. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the ongoing nature of the tracking. For example: "The origin of the rumor is difficult to trace / The origin of the rumor is "being traced" now".

What's the difference between "being traced" and "traced back to"?

"Being traced" generally refers to the ongoing process of following something, while "traced back to" implies finding the origin or source of something. For example, "The problem is "being traced" to its root cause" vs "The problem was traced back to a faulty component".