they are having

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they are having" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is a present progressive verb phrase, meaning it describes an action that is currently in progress. Example: They are having a party at the park tomorrow. In this sentence, "they" is the subject, "are having" is the present progressive verb phrase, and "a party at the park" is the object. This sentence conveys that the action of having a party will be happening in the future.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are having everything.

Independent

They are having light lunches.

The New Yorker

Maybe they are having some iron sheets".

The New Yorker

Now they are having the opposite effect.

The Economist

They are having the greatest dinner tonight".

The New York Times

And second, they are having fewer babies.

The Economist

But they are having to curtail expenditures.

The New Yorker

"They are having major problems.

The Guardian

And they are having an action plan.

Cornell University

They are having their struggles as well.

The Guardian - Sport

They are having an impact? A. Absolutely.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they are having" to describe ongoing activities or experiences, ensuring the context clearly indicates the subject's involvement.

Common error

Avoid using "they are having" to describe habitual actions. Use the simple present tense ("they have") for recurring events instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are having" functions as the main verb phrase in a sentence, specifically in the present continuous tense. This indicates an action or experience that is currently in progress. The Ludwig examples showcase this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Academia

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they are having" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote an ongoing action or experience. As Ludwig AI explains, it functions as the main verb in the present continuous tense. The phrase is versatile, appearing in various contexts, including news, science, and business. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, writers should be mindful of the specific nuance they wish to convey, considering alternatives like "they're experiencing" or "they're undergoing" for enhanced precision. Remember to avoid using it for habitual actions, opting for the simple present tense instead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they're experiencing

Uses a different verb to express a similar sense of undergoing something.

they're undergoing

Replaces "having" with "undergoing" to imply a process or experience.

they are going through

Focuses on experiencing a process, often implying difficulty or change.

they're in the midst of

Indicates that they are currently engaged in the middle of an activity.

they're enjoying

Focuses on the positive aspect of their experience.

they're participating in

Specifically suggests that they are taking part in an event or activity.

they're dealing with

Implies that they are facing a challenge or situation.

they're possessing

Emphasizes ownership or control of something.

they're facing

Emphasizes the confrontation of a situation or problem.

they're conducting

Suggests that they are carrying out a specific task or activity.

FAQs

How to use "they are having" in a sentence?

Use "they are having" to describe an action that is currently in progress or will happen in the near future. For instance, "they are having dinner" indicates that they are in the process of eating dinner.

What can I say instead of "they are having"?

You can use alternatives like "they're experiencing", "they're undergoing", or "they are going through" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "they are having" or "they have"?

"They are having" describes an ongoing action, while "they have" describes a state of possession or a habitual action. For example, "they are having fun" (ongoing) vs. "they have a car" (possession).

What's the difference between "they are having" and "they will have"?

"They are having" describes an action happening now or in the near future, while "they will have" describes an action that will be completed at some point in the future. For example, "they are having a meeting" (now) vs. "they will have a meeting tomorrow" (future).