being worked upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being worked upon" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone is currently engaged in work and actively progressing with it. For example, "The new project is being worked upon by the entire team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"There are ideas being worked upon by the Americans, by others," Mr. Blair said, "and without entering into the detail of that, I now believe it is possible to move this process forward".

The New York Times

Global platforms for banding together are being worked upon.

Forbes

"There was a collaborative horror story being worked upon by coinchatters earlier for instance," he says.

TechCrunch

Checking the dump, there was no actual PRX by that name which means that the actual functionality is still being worked upon at this stage.

TechCrunch

This emphasises that such boards and councils are almost mandatory for them because these are the forums where lot of regulations and compliances are discussed, analysed and framed and these have a direct impact on the projects and products being worked upon by their organization.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

On 1 March, 15 aircraft and 26 engines were being worked upon.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

There is much here that could be worked upon, as it is in Germany and Sweden, where woodland is much more part of the life of the people it surrounds.

The Guardian - Opinion

That dynamic needs to be worked upon".

The New York Times

But the really serious hardship will be worked upon the residents of St. David's Island, who are extremely poor &cannot even imagine living in any otherplace.

The New Yorker

Steven Kovats QC, for the Home Office, told the court: "We now do not deny that amongst material that Mr Miranda was carrying is journalistic material... material that has been worked upon by a journalist with a view to publication".

The Guardian

Stephen Kovats QC, for the Home Office, told the court: "We now do not deny that amongst material that Mr Miranda was carrying is journalistic material … material that has been worked upon by a journalist with a view to publication".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "being worked upon" to describe a project or task that is currently in progress and receiving active attention. It emphasizes the ongoing effort involved.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions like "being worked upon". While grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound weak and indirect. Opt for active voice when appropriate to create more direct and engaging sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being worked upon" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject of the sentence is receiving the action of being worked on. It is generally used to describe the current state of a project, task, or idea.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "being worked upon" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes an ongoing process where effort is being applied to something. While common across various contexts, it's essential to avoid overusing passive voice in general, and to consider more direct alternatives for stronger writing. Remember to choose the alternative that best fits the specific nuances you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being developed

Highlights the act of development and is more general.

under development

Focuses on the state of the project rather than the action.

in progress

Emphasizes that the work is currently happening.

being refined

Suggests that improvements are being made to something already existing.

under construction

Suggests building or creating something.

being processed

Implies a systematic series of actions are being taken.

being addressed

Indicates that a problem or issue is receiving attention.

being crafted

Implies careful and skillful creation.

being handled

Suggests that someone is managing or dealing with something.

receiving attention

Emphasizes that something is being noticed and worked on.

FAQs

How can I use "being worked upon" in a sentence?

You can use "being worked upon" to indicate that something is currently in the process of development or modification. For example, "The proposal is "being worked upon" by the team."

What are some alternatives to "being worked upon"?

Alternatives include "under development", "in progress", or "being developed". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "being worked upon" formal or informal?

The phrase "being worked upon" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more direct alternatives may be preferable in informal settings.

What's the difference between "being worked upon" and "being acted upon"?

"Being worked upon" implies active development or modification, while "being acted upon" suggests that something is being influenced or affected by an action.