is being told

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is being told" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that is currently being communicated or narrated to someone. Example: "The story is being told from the perspective of the main character, allowing readers to connect with their emotions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What story is being told?

The New York Times

Finally, the story is being told.

The Washington Post

But there's another, less welcoming narrative that is being told.

The New York Times

Either way, though, a particular racial narrative is being told.

The Washington Post

A person is being told where to live".

The New York Times

But the story is being told 17 years later.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

This story is our story that is being told.

The New York Times - Books

What we don't like is being told we will be fined if we complain.

The Economist

She is being told, by image advisers, to sacrifice the hat and pearls.

The Guardian

"What they don't want," he said of future owners, "is being told what to do".

The New York Times

But Cameron is being told by his party that victory will come at huge cost.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is being told" when you want to emphasize the process of information being conveyed rather than the source or the content itself. For example: "The story "is being told" from multiple perspectives."

Common error

Avoid overusing passive constructions like "is being told" in your writing. Opt for active voice when possible to make your sentences more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "He "is being told" to leave," consider "They are telling him to leave."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is being told" functions as a passive construction of the verb 'tell'. It indicates that the subject is the recipient of an action, specifically the act of communicating information. Ludwig AI examples show it commonly appears in narrative and informational contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is being told" is a grammatically correct and highly frequent passive construction. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is commonly found in news and media, academic writing, and formal business contexts. Its primary function is to emphasize that someone is in the process of receiving information. While versatile, be mindful of overusing passive voice and consider using active voice when appropriate. Explore alternatives like "is being informed" or "is being instructed" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is being informed

Replaces 'told' with 'informed', suggesting a more formal or official communication.

is being advised

Substitutes 'told' with 'advised', implying guidance or recommendations are given.

is being instructed

Changes 'told' to 'instructed', indicating a more direct and authoritative communication.

is being notified

Replaces 'told' with 'notified', focusing on the act of formally announcing something.

is being communicated

Uses 'communicated' instead of 'told', emphasizing the broader process of conveying information.

is being revealed

Substitutes 'told' with 'revealed', suggesting that something previously hidden is being disclosed.

is being imparted

Changes 'told' to 'imparted', implying a sharing of knowledge or wisdom.

is being related

Replaces 'told' with 'related', indicating the recounting of a story or event.

is being conveyed

Uses 'conveyed' instead of 'told', focusing on the act of transferring information.

is being expressed

Changes 'told' to 'expressed', implying communication of feelings or thoughts.

FAQs

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

Use "is being told" to indicate that someone is currently receiving information. For example, "The children "are being told" a story about a brave knight".

What can I say instead of "is being told"?

You can use alternatives like "is being informed", "is being advised", or "is being instructed" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is being told" or "is told"?

"Is being told" indicates a continuous or ongoing action, while "is told" suggests a general or habitual action. For example, "He "is being told" the news now," versus "He "is told" to be quiet in the library".

What's the difference between "is being told" and "was being told"?

"Is being told" refers to the present, while "was being told" refers to the past. "She "is being told" the rules now," means the rules are being explained to her currently. "She "was being told" the rules yesterday," indicates the explanation happened in the past.