they are being

USAGE SUMMARY

"they are being" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an ongoing action or state. For example: "They are being extremely helpful during this difficult time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"They are being threatened.

The New York Times

They are being sloppy.

The Economist

They are being followed".

The New York Times

They are being treated.

The New York Times

They are being wilfully deceived.

Independent

"They are being quiet now".

The New York Times

They are being dilatory, too.

The Economist

Now, they are being sapped.

The New York Times - Sports

They are being squeezed out.

The New Yorker

Instead, they are being slashed.

Independent

"So they are being organized".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they are being" to describe an ongoing action or state affecting a group, ensuring the context clearly indicates who "they" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "they are being" when referring to a singular subject. Instead, use "he/she/it is being" to maintain proper grammatical agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are being" serves as a passive progressive construction, indicating an action that is currently being performed on a group. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English, as showcased through various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

6%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they are being" is a versatile grammatical construction that describes an ongoing action or state affecting a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. This phrase functions as a passive progressive form, commonly used to inform, explain, or express concern. While its register is generally neutral, it appears across diverse contexts. Remember to use it with a plural subject and in situations where you want to emphasize an ongoing process or state affecting a group.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they're undergoing

This alternative implies a process or experience that they are currently subject to.

they're experiencing

This highlights their current situation or the events happening to them.

they're subjected to

This emphasizes that they are forced to endure something.

they're in the process of

This stresses the ongoing nature of a task or transformation.

they're presently in

This specifies their current state or location.

they're situated within

This indicates the context or environment they find themselves in.

they're under

This is a shortened version, implying they're under a particular condition or authority.

they're facing

This highlights the challenges or difficulties they are encountering.

they're encountering

This suggests they are running into certain situations or obstacles.

they're dealing with

This emphasizes how they're managing or handling specific circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "they are being" in a sentence?

Use "they are being" to describe an action currently affecting a group of people or things. For example, "They are being monitored closely".

What phrases are similar to "they are being"?

Similar phrases include "they are undergoing", "they are experiencing", or "they are subjected to", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "they are being" in formal writing?

Yes, "they are being" is appropriate for formal writing as long as it is grammatically correct and fits the context. It is commonly used in news articles, academic papers, and business reports.

What is the difference between "they are" and "they are being"?

"They are" describes a state of being or a characteristic, while "they are being" describes an action that is currently happening to them or a temporary behavior. For example, "They are students" vs. "They are being taught by the professor".