is being understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is being understood" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is the present progressive tense passive form of "to understand". Example: The concept of quantum physics is being understood by more and more scientists every day.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"The way this war is being understood will kill whatever minuscule chance remains for talks with moderate Palestinians," he said.

The New Yorker

There are many things we offer to our customer, and we now need to make sure this is being understood.

The New York Times

Teachers get real-time feedback on how well their material is being understood – even on a question by question basis.

The Guardian

As such, the decision to announce the suspension of these accounts is being understood in some quarters as a well-timed PR move.

Independent

Also, more is being understood about the exact molecular pathways that are involved in R.A., and treatments are being developed to target these using small molecules (pills or very small proteins).

The New York Times

where it is being understood conventionally that ( 0 ) 0 = 1.

Advances in Difference Equations

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

They relate to their peers better than I can and it gives them confidence that they are being understood.

The Guardian

Modern and advanced societies and economies are being understood as knowledge-based.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

But the stranger is a blank space where I can project the idea that I am being understood, without words.

Vice

This may also be an indicator that both the physician and surrogates are being understood.

BMC Family Practice

"I think it's always been a possibility; that's always something that's been understood by R. A., by his agent and by us," Alderson said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is being understood", ensure the subject is clear and the context provides sufficient information about what is being understood. For instance, "The implications of the study are being understood by researchers."

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice, including "is being understood", as it can make your writing vague. Instead of "The problem is being understood", consider "Researchers understand the problem" for more directness and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is being understood" functions as a passive construction in the present progressive tense. It indicates an ongoing process where something is currently in the state of being comprehended or grasped. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides examples of its usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is being understood" serves as a grammatically sound way to express an ongoing process of comprehension. As highlighted by Ludwig, it functions as a passive construction in the present progressive tense, signaling that something is in the midst of becoming clear. While categorized as "Uncommon" in terms of frequency, its usage spans across various authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. It's important to note the potential for overuse of passive voice, and writers should be mindful of employing more direct, active voice constructions where appropriate. Semantically, alternatives like "is being grasped" or "is being comprehended" can be used to fine-tune the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is being grasped

Focuses on the moment of comprehension, implying someone is just beginning to understand.

is being comprehended

Emphasizes thorough understanding and a complete grasp of the concept.

is being appreciated

Highlights the positive reception and value attributed to the understanding.

is being recognized

Implies acknowledgment and acceptance of the understanding.

is being acknowledged

Focuses on the open admission and validation of the understanding.

is being perceived

Focuses on how something is viewed or interpreted by others.

is being interpreted

Highlights the process of assigning meaning to something, suggesting a degree of subjectivity.

is being decoded

Suggests a more active process of deciphering or unraveling a complex understanding.

is sinking in

Emphasizes a gradual process of understanding, often after initial confusion.

is becoming clear

Indicates the understanding is emerging and becoming more evident.

FAQs

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

You can use "is being understood" to describe a process where something is gradually becoming clear or comprehended. For example, "The complexity of the issue is being understood through ongoing research".

What are some alternatives to "is being understood"?

Alternatives include phrases like "is being grasped", "is being comprehended", or "is being recognized" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "understand"?

While "is being understood" (passive voice) is grammatically correct, active voice constructions (e.g., "they understand") are often more direct and concise. Choose the voice that best suits the context and your desired emphasis.

What does it mean when something "is understood" vs "is being understood"?

"Is understood" implies a state of general agreement or common knowledge, while "is being understood" suggests an ongoing process of gaining comprehension. For example, "It is understood that the meeting is at 2 PM" versus "The new policy is being understood by employees".