that are being speculated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that are being speculated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing ideas, theories, or events that are currently under consideration or conjecture. Example: "There are several theories that are being speculated about the origins of the universe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

There are many, many things that are being speculated about".

The New York Times - Sports

"Things that are being speculated upon as happening — we are not speculating.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"But even in the worst case scenario that is being speculated, it seems to me that it would be quite an extreme step to say that because of what would be an egregious breach of the principle of 'one country, two systems' and the basic law and the Sino-British Joint Declaration... the whole thing had collapsed".

The Guardian

There is one particular area of interest that is being speculated she wanted to hide and might have been included in the 30K emails she destroyed.

Huffington Post

It is being speculated that it was a copy-cat killing.

Vice

It's been speculated that gaining access to that license in part motivated the acquisition.

TechCrunch

It's been speculated that a handful of the songs might not be transferable.

TechCrunch

I know many argue that it was Rose, others speculate that is was Missy, but my money is still on River.

Huffington Post

It is speculated that North Koreans are being executed for acts of cannibalism.

Vice

It is speculated that North Koreans are being executed for acts of cannibalism  – does Amnesty have any further information?

Vice

Luna writes that it's been widely speculated that Cool Ranch will be the next flavor, although Taco Bell has not acknowledged those reports.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that are being speculated" when you want to emphasize the ongoing nature of conjecture or uncertain discussions surrounding a topic. It is particularly useful in formal writing or when presenting multiple viewpoints.

Common error

Avoid using "that are being speculated" in very informal settings. Simpler phrases like "people are guessing" or "it's rumored" might be more appropriate for casual conversations or less formal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that are being speculated" functions as a relative clause modifying a noun. It indicates that certain ideas, possibilities, or events are currently under consideration or conjecture. As seen in Ludwig, this phrase is used to express uncertainty or a lack of definitive evidence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that are being speculated" serves to describe ideas or events currently under consideration or conjecture. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and usable, though not excessively common, primarily appearing in news, media, and scientific contexts. While grammatically sound, opting for simpler or more direct phrases can enhance clarity in informal settings. When writing, it is important to remember that the contexts where you are likely to find such phrases are formal or scientific and the goal of the expression is to convey the uncertainty of a specific outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which are under speculation

This alternative replaces the passive voice construction with a more direct statement of ongoing speculation.

that people are speculating about

This alternative shifts the focus to the people doing the speculating, making it more active.

what is currently being speculated

This version emphasizes the present time frame of the speculation.

subject to conjecture

This alternative uses a more formal term for speculation.

that is rumored

This replaces "speculated" with a word suggesting less certainty.

that is hypothesized

This alternative is more suited to scientific or academic contexts, implying a formal hypothesis.

being theorized

This alternative implies a more structured and reasoned form of speculation.

under consideration

This broadens the context to include any form of contemplation or evaluation, not specifically speculation.

subject to guesswork

This alternative emphasizes the uncertainty and lack of firm evidence.

that are being guessed

This version uses a simpler, more informal term than "speculated".

FAQs

How can I use "that are being speculated" in a sentence?

You can use "that are being speculated" to refer to theories, ideas, or events currently under consideration or conjecture. For example, "There are many possibilities "that are being speculated" regarding the cause of the economic downturn."

What are some alternatives to "that are being speculated"?

Alternatives include "that are being conjectured", "that are currently speculated", or "which are under speculation", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "that are being speculated" formal or informal?

"That are being speculated" is generally considered a formal phrase. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "that people are guessing" may be more suitable.

When is it best to use the passive voice with "that are being speculated"?

The passive voice is useful when the actor is unknown or less important than the action itself. For instance, "Several causes "that are being speculated", but none have been confirmed."