it is being

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it is being' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action that is in the process of happening. For example, "The painting is being restored by a professional art conservator."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is being discontinued.

Independent

It is being reformed.

The Economist

"It is being addressed".

The New York Times

It is being clear-eyed.

The New Yorker

It is being done elsewhere.

The New York Times

It is being sold furnished.

The New York Times

Yet it is being done.

The New Yorker

Because it is being touched.

The New Yorker

It is being monitored closely.

The New York Times

"Now it is being lived".

The New Yorker

It is being destroyed.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is being" to describe ongoing actions or processes, particularly when the actor is unknown or unimportant. For example, "The project "it is being" reviewed by the committee."

Common error

Avoid excessive use of "it is being", as it can make your writing sound vague and indirect. Whenever possible, identify the actor and use the active voice for clearer and more engaging writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is being" functions as part of a passive construction, indicating that the subject is receiving an action rather than performing it. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is being" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to form the passive progressive tense. As Ludwig AI highlights, this construction is prevalent across various contexts, especially in news media, academic writing, and scientific reports. While it's a useful tool for describing ongoing actions where the actor is not the focus, overusing it can lead to wordy and indirect prose. As such, writers should be mindful of when active voice might provide a clearer and more engaging alternative. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for professional and formal communications, and several alternative phrases exist to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's getting

This is a shorter, more informal way of saying something is in the process of happening.

it is getting

While semantically similar, this replacement is more direct, indicating a change in state or condition.

it's currently under

This option specifies that something is presently subject to a particular process.

it is currently under

This variation specifies the active involvement of another entity or factor.

the process involves

This rephrasing emphasizes the actions or steps that must be completed.

action is underway to

This alternative stresses that something is already ongoing or in progress.

steps are being taken to

This suggests a methodical progression towards a specific goal or outcome.

work is progressing on

This signifies ongoing effort being put into something.

efforts are underway to

This version suggests a focused initiative being carried out to achieve a particular goal or objective.

things are underway

This option implies that tasks and processes are in motion.

FAQs

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

Use "it is being" to describe an action that is currently in progress or is happening over a period of time. For example, "The application "it is being" processed" or "The house "it is being" renovated".

What are some alternatives to "it is being"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "it's getting", "it is getting", or "it's currently under" to convey a similar meaning.

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

While "it is being" is a valid construction in passive voice, using active voice can often make your writing more direct and engaging. Consider whether the actor is important to the sentence before choosing passive voice.

What's the difference between "it is being" and "it has been"?

"It is being" describes an action in progress, while "it has been" describes an action that has been completed. For example, "The book "it is being" translated" (in progress) versus "The book "it has been" translated" (completed).