is being narrowed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is being narrowed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a process where something is being reduced in size, scope, or focus over time. Example: "The options for the project are being narrowed down to the most viable solutions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The definition of educational success is being standardised and it is being narrowed.

The Guardian - Opinion

I'm saying that the field of that freedom is being narrowed.

The New York Times

Jackhammers and backhoes are carving up Greenwich Street, which is being narrowed to create more of a pedestrian promenade.

The New York Times

A shortlist of seven is being narrowed down to just three or four at a party meeting this week.

The Guardian

Two decades of progress in disabled people's living standards is being unravelled as disabled people's quality of life is being narrowed.

The Guardian

The so-called "block exemption" from antitrust rules is being narrowed to give garages more independence from car makers, to allow them to sell different makes on the same site and to sell across borders.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Short-lists are being narrowed down.

The Economist

"Already class sizes are going up, teacher and support staff jobs are being lost and curriculum choices are being narrowed.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, the meaning of hacktivist was being narrowed from people who use technology in support of social causes to meaning individuals principally concerned with infiltrating and releasing the data of almost anyone.

The New York Times

It was also claimed that head teachers were being "undermined" and the curriculum was being narrowed to reflect the "personal views of a few governors".

BBC

I don't know how year after year of people being frisked, arrested and killed -- when lives are being narrowed, and narrowed and narrowed -- it's possible to not let loose".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is being narrowed", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the reduction or limitation. Specify the agent or process responsible for the narrowing to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "is being narrowed" without specifying what is being narrowed. The sentence should clearly state the subject undergoing the reduction to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is being narrowed" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject is undergoing a process of reduction or limitation. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which show its use across various domains.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is being narrowed" is a grammatically correct and usable passive verb phrase that describes a reduction in scope, options, or size. As Ludwig highlights, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts and has a neutral to professional tone. While relatively uncommon, effective use requires specifying the subject undergoing the narrowing to avoid vagueness. Consider alternatives like "is being reduced" or "is being limited" depending on your specific intent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is being reduced

Emphasizes a decrease in size, quantity, or extent.

is being limited

Highlights restrictions placed on something.

is being restricted

Focuses on formal limitations or constraints.

is being curtailed

Implies a sudden or significant reduction.

is being diminished

Suggests a gradual decrease in importance or impact.

is being refined

Highlights a process of improvement through selection.

is being filtered

Focuses on removing unwanted elements.

is being selected

Emphasizes the process of choosing from a larger set.

is undergoing compression

Suggests physical reduction or decrease in volume.

is being consolidated

Focuses on combining or reducing separate elements into a unified whole.

FAQs

How can I use "is being narrowed" in a sentence?

You can use "is being narrowed" to describe a situation where options, choices, or perspectives are becoming more limited. For instance, "The list of potential candidates is being narrowed down to three finalists."

What are some alternatives to "is being narrowed"?

Alternatives include "is being reduced", "is being limited", or "is being restricted" depending on the specific context.

Is "is being narrowed" formal or informal?

"Is being narrowed" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it is often found in more formal writing such as news reports and academic papers.

Which is correct, "is being narrowed" or "is narrowing"?

"Is being narrowed" is a passive construction, indicating that something is having something done to it. "Is narrowing" is active, indicating that something is doing the narrowing. The correct choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the actor or the recipient of the action.