it is being surrounded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is being surrounded" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something is currently in the process of being encircled or enclosed by something else. Example: "As the storm approached, it is being surrounded by dark clouds that threatened to unleash heavy rain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The best part of all of it is being surrounded by people that love me and that I love back.

Huffington Post

Whether it is being surrounded without cover or flanking, these can really save your lives since there is not a lot of time to think in a Nerf war.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"It's being surrounded by people who are on that journey to try and find however they define success".

The Guardian

It's being surrounded by people and feeling lonely.

Huffington Post

Maybe it was being surrounded by our loved ones for the holiday.

Huffington Post

Maybe it's the fact that I get the chills every time the opening video comes on the screen, or maybe it's being surrounded by thousands of people who love the same thing.

Huffington Post

It said children were being surrounded by adverts for foods high in salt, sugar and saturated fat, even in schools and sports centres.

The Guardian

"The hypothesis that surrounds it is: is it good, is it bad?

The New York Times

We talk about what it's like being surrounded by people having an emotional experience, and how it spreads back to the stage.

The Guardian - Music

Creatures with bugs' bodies and birds' heads are frequent, but they're made respectable, as it were, by being surrounded by decorative borders.

The New York Times

It's about being surrounded by talented people and their drive and desire to do what they love and be who they want to become".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is being surrounded" when you want to emphasize an ongoing process of encirclement or enclosure, rather than a static state. For instance, "As the fog rolled in, the island it is being surrounded by a thick, impenetrable mist".

Common error

While grammatically correct, "it is being surrounded" can sound passive and less direct. Consider using active voice constructions like "forces surround it" or "elements are closing in on it" for a more impactful sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is being surrounded" functions as a passive construction, describing a state of enclosure or encirclement that is currently in progress. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is being surrounded" is a grammatically correct but somewhat infrequent phrase used to describe an ongoing process of enclosure or encirclement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While suitable for general usage, it can sometimes sound passive, and more direct language may be preferable in certain contexts. The phrase appears mainly in News & Media, Wiki and Science articles. For alternatives, consider "it is encircled" or "it is enclosed". Understanding these nuances will help you use the phrase effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is getting encircled

Replaces "surrounded" with "encircled", emphasizing the circular nature of the surrounding action.

it is getting besieged

Uses "besieged" to convey a sense of being heavily pressured or attacked from all sides.

it is becoming enveloped

Substitutes "surrounded" with "enveloped", highlighting the complete covering or wrapping effect.

it is in the process of being enclosed

Rephrases the sentence to explicitly state the ongoing process of enclosure.

it is subject to encirclement

Focuses on the susceptibility to being encircled, highlighting a potential threat.

it is facing containment

Emphasizes the act of limiting or restricting its movement or spread.

it is experiencing encirclement

Highlights the experience of being encircled rather than just the state.

it finds itself encompassed

Replaces the passive voice with an active one, emphasizing the state of being encompassed.

it is contained within

Focuses on the boundaries and limitations imposed by the surrounding elements.

it is fringed by

Suggests a decorative or less threatening form of surrounding, like a border or edge.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it is being surrounded" to sound more active?

Consider using active voice constructions like "forces surround it" or "elements encompass it". This can make your writing more direct and engaging.

Is "it is being surrounded" formal or informal?

The phrase is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more direct language is often preferred in formal writing.

What is a more common alternative to "it is being surrounded"?

Alternatives like "it is encircled" or "it is enclosed" are often used and might sound more natural depending on the context. Consider also "it is getting encircled".

What does "it is being surrounded" imply?

It implies that something is in the process of being enclosed or influenced by external forces, suggesting a dynamic situation rather than a static one. The impact of being surrounded can vary depending on the context.