is at play

USAGE SUMMARY

"is at play" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in English.
It can be used to describe an activity that is taking place, or as an idiom to describe an attitude or tactic. For example: "Politics is at play in this decision, as the mayor has personal connections to the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Is there a chance he's actually sane, and some sort of magic is at play?

Huffington Post

What kind of censorship is at play?

The New York Times

Bitter widespread poverty is at play.

Independent

What else is at play?

The Washington Post

A lot of capital is at play.

University of California, Berkeley

Yet something larger is at play here.

The Washington Post

However, perhaps something else is at play.

Nature

Another factor is at play, too.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Several factors are at play.

The New York Times

Other issues are at play.

The New York Times - Sports

Other connections were at play.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is at play" to subtly introduce underlying factors or influences that aren't immediately obvious, adding depth to your explanation.

Common error

Avoid using "is at play" in situations where a more direct term like "happening" or "occurring" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is at play" functions as a predicative expression, indicating that a particular factor, influence, or force is currently active or operative in a given situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

14%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is at play" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that a specific factor or influence is active in a given situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its correct usage spans across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic domains. While "is at play" is quite versatile, alternatives like "is in effect" or "is at work" might be more suitable depending on the intended emphasis. Its high frequency and presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Washington Post solidify its place as a reliable and effective phrase in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is at work

Highlights the active exertion of influence or effort.

is in effect

Focuses on the active, operational aspect.

is in action

Emphasizes the dynamic and active nature.

is in operation

Highlights the functionality and process aspect.

is a factor

Highlights the role as a contributing element.

is influential

Stresses the impact and power to affect something.

is relevant

Focuses on the pertinence and applicability.

is significant

Highlights importance or consequence.

is operative

Emphasizes the state of being operational or functioning.

is underway

Emphasizes that something is in progress or happening.

FAQs

How can I use "is at play" in a sentence?

Use "is at play" to indicate that a particular factor, force, or influence is currently active or exerting an effect. For example, "Several economic factors "are at play" in the current market downturn".

What can I say instead of "is at play"?

You can use alternatives like "is in effect", "is at work", or "is a factor" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "are at play" instead of "is at play"?

Yes, ""are at play"" is correct when referring to multiple factors or influences. "Is at play" is used for a single, singular influence.

What's the difference between "is at play" and "is in effect"?

"Is at play" suggests an influence or contributing factor, while "is in effect" implies something is operational or actively producing results. The subtle difference lies in the degree of direct action implied.