is being

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is being" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use the phrase "is being" to express a progressive form of the verb. For example, "The car is being repaired."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Chope is being targeted.

The Guardian

Business is being done.

The Economist

"Writing is being murdered.

The New York Times

That is being polite.

The New York Times

He is being gentle.

The New York Times

— is being lumped in.

The New Yorker

"Everything is being lost.

The New Yorker

Solyndra is being liquidated.

The New York Times

RoboCop is being remade.

The New York Times

History is being repeated.

The Economist

"Everything is being upgraded.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is being" to describe actions happening in the present continuous passive voice. For instance, "The project is being reviewed" indicates an ongoing review process.

Common error

Don't use "is being" when the active voice is more appropriate and direct. For example, instead of "He is being the manager", say "He is the manager".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is being" serves as an auxiliary verb phrase used to form the present continuous passive voice. This construction indicates an action that is currently in progress and is being done to the subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Wiki

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is being" is a grammatically sound phrase primarily used to construct the present continuous passive voice, indicating an ongoing action being performed on a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts but also appears in formal and business writing. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects an action currently in progress and avoid misusing it in active voice constructions. Understanding these nuances will enhance clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is in the process of

This alternative emphasizes the ongoing nature of an action, similar to "is being", but focuses on the process itself.

is currently under

This emphasizes that something is presently undergoing a particular action or state, similar to how "is being" indicates a passive progressive action.

is undergoing

This provides a slightly more direct and active phrasing to express that something is experiencing a particular process.

is actively

This alternative emphasizes the active and ongoing nature of a process.

is getting

A more informal way of expressing a passive action that's taking place.

is now

Highlights the current state of an action.

is at present

A more formal alternative emphasizing the current timeframe.

is experiencing

Focuses on the subject's experience of a process.

is subject to

This alternative indicates that something is undergoing a particular action, often with a sense of obligation or necessity.

is found

This suggests the passive voice of an action that is happening in the present.

FAQs

How do I use "is being" in a sentence?

Use "is being" to form the present continuous passive voice. For example, "The report "is being prepared"" indicates that the report is currently in the process of being prepared.

What are some alternatives to "is being"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "is undergoing", "is in the process of", or "is currently under" to express a similar meaning.

When should I use "is being" instead of a simple present tense?

Use "is being" when you want to emphasize an ongoing action in the passive voice. For example, use "The house "is being painted"" instead of "The house paints" to highlight that the painting action is currently in progress.

Is it correct to use "is being" in active voice constructions?

No, "is being" is generally used in passive voice constructions. In active voice, a simpler verb form is usually more appropriate. For example, instead of "He is being helpful", say "He is helpful" or "He is acting helpfully".