is being murdered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is being murdered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing ongoing actions or events, particularly in narratives or reports about violence or crime. Example: "In the story, the protagonist discovers that a close friend is being murdered in the alley behind their house."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"Writing is being murdered.

The New York Times

"I won't play pretend on television while science is being murdered.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Who is being murdered every week when they choose to leave their partner?

The Guardian

In the most extreme examples of the reader knowing more than the investigator, we twice experience the death of a character, who is being murdered, from his or her point of view.

The Guardian - Books

One of my darkest fears, for example, is being murdered, raped or kidnapped by one of the 211 (and still counting) dangerous patients which my nearby mental health unit, the John Howard Centre in Homerton, has allowed to escape since 2001.

Independent

"No one is being murdered or hauled off by the American government to prison for writing a novel," said Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in her Arthur Miller Freedom to Write lecture, which closed the PEN World Voices festival in New York Sunday night.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

They are being murdered by the postmodernists.

Princeton University

Their imams were being murdered.

The New York Times

Of course, it is deplorable that children are being murdered.

The New York Times - Books

From the noise, we thought somebody was being murdered.

The New York Times

She saw it and screamed like she was being murdered.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "is being murdered", ensure the context clearly indicates an ongoing or imminent act of homicide. Avoid using it in contexts where the action is completed, opting instead for "was murdered".

Common error

A common mistake is using "is being murdered" when "was murdered" is more appropriate. "Is being murdered" implies the act is in progress, whereas "was murdered" indicates the act is complete.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is being murdered" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of being murdered. This implies an ongoing act of violence. Ludwig AI validates this function based on its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is being murdered" is a grammatically sound passive verb phrase used to describe an ongoing act of homicide. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English writing. While the phrase carries a neutral tone, it's frequently employed in news and media to convey immediacy and severity. While not overly common, it is well-understood and appropriate in various contexts, with "is getting killed" and "is being slain" as possible alternatives based on the formality you are trying to reach. When employing "is being murdered", ensure that the context accurately reflects an action in progress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is getting killed

Similar meaning, but slightly more informal and focuses on the action of killing.

is being slain

A more formal or literary alternative implying a deliberate and violent killing.

is being assassinated

Implies the victim is a prominent figure and the murder is politically motivated.

is being liquidated

Suggests the killing is part of a planned elimination, often in a business or criminal context.

is being executed

Indicates a formal, often legal, killing as a form of punishment.

is meeting their demise

Euphemistic and indirect; avoids explicitly stating the violent act.

is losing their life

Focuses on the loss of life rather than the act of murder.

is being offed

Informal and slangy, implying a quick and often secretive killing.

is passing away violently

A more gentle and euphemistic way to describe a violent death.

is being terminated

Suggests a removal or ending, often in a clinical or detached manner.

FAQs

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

Use "is being murdered" to describe a murder that is currently happening or is perceived as happening at the moment of speaking. For example, "The truth is being murdered by misinformation campaigns".

What are some alternatives to saying "is being murdered"?

You can use alternatives like "is getting killed", "is being slain", or "is being assassinated" depending on the specific context.

When should I use "is being murdered" versus "was murdered"?

"Is being murdered" describes an ongoing action, while "was murdered" refers to a completed action in the past. For example, "He is being murdered right now!" versus "He was murdered last night".

Is "is being murdered" a formal or informal expression?

"Is being murdered" is a neutral expression, suitable for news reports and narratives. However, depending on the context, you might opt for more formal alternatives like "is being slain" or informal options such as "is getting killed".