its being

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "its being" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to refer to the fact that something is or exists. For example, "Despite its being illegal, many people still use the drug."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is a city where business is not just a part of its being, it is its being.

The Guardian

That is, it keeps its being through the body.

SEP

How does its being extended contribute to its being divisible?

SEP

As he puts it, "value derives its being from its exigency and not its exigency from its being".

SEP

At times William, following Avicenna, speaks of its being as accidental to it.

SEP

Such a being is said to participate in or acquire its being.

SEP

For everything that is caused is other than its being and thus is a being by participation, whereas a being by essence or substance is its being.

SEP

It allows the design to be finalised without its being influenced by the outcomes.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

But I couldn't depend on its being there for us unless I was growing it myself".

Independent

"I'm excited about its being in Newark.

The New York Times - Books

Its being formalized basically makes life easier.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "its being" to emphasize the continuous or ongoing nature of something's existence or state. For instance, "The importance of the historical artifact lies in "its being" a testament to a bygone era."

Common error

Avoid confusing "its being" with "it's being". "Its" is a possessive pronoun, while "it's" is a contraction of "it is" or "it has". Using "it's" instead of "its" will create a grammatical error. For example, "The project's success depends on "its being" completed on time", not "it's being".

Linguistic Context

The primary function of "its being" is to act as a gerund phrase, functioning as a noun. It describes the state or fact of something existing or undergoing a process. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples, showing its integration into various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

38%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "its being" is a versatile gerund phrase used to denote the state or fact of something existing or undergoing a process. Ludwig AI affirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and finds frequent use across diverse contexts, notably in news media and scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and avoid common errors like confusing it with "it's being". Remember the tips given in best practices and common errors to better utilize "its being".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

its existence

Focuses directly on the state of existing rather than the ongoing process.

the fact that it is

Emphasizes the factual nature of its existence or condition.

its state of existence

Highlights the condition or manner in which it exists.

its current form

Draws attention to the present shape, structure, or appearance.

its actuality

Stresses the reality of its presence or occurrence.

the way it exists

Focuses on the manner or method of its existence.

its essence

Highlights the fundamental nature or intrinsic quality of its existence.

the condition of its being

Emphasizes the circumstances and state of its existence.

its very nature

Indicates the inherent and essential qualities of something.

the phenomenon of its existence

Focuses on the observable fact and nature of its existence.

FAQs

How can I use "its being" in a sentence?

Use "its being" to refer to the state or fact of something existing or being in a particular condition. For example, "The value of the antique is in "its being" an original design".

What phrases can I use instead of "its being"?

Alternatives include "its existence", "the fact that it is", or "its state of existence". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Which is correct: "its being" or "it's being"?

"Its being" is the correct possessive form indicating something belongs to "it" or is a quality of "it". "It's being" (a contraction of "it is being") is used in progressive verb tenses. For example, "Its being tested" versus "It's being tested".

What’s the difference between "its being" and "being it"?

"Its being" refers to the state or fact of something's existence, while "being it" generally implies embodying or personifying something. They are not interchangeable.