they are moving

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "They are moving" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone or something is in the process of changing position or location. For example, "The family is moving to a different city next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They are moving.

The New York Times - Books

They are moving down.

The New York Times

Now they are moving to Baltimore.

The New Yorker

They are moving steadily into our markets".

Independent

Maybe they are moving the bodies".

The New Yorker

Supposedly they are moving back in together.

The New York Times

"Now they are moving back".

The New York Times

And they are moving fast.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The airlines, at least, hope they are moving fast enough.

The New York Times

They are moving on to your laundry and your bedroom.

Forbes

Not any more than they are moving to clean metros.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they are moving" to describe a group's change in physical location, strategic direction, or progress toward a goal.

Common error

Avoid using "they're moving" when a more specific verb (e.g., relocating, progressing, advancing) would provide greater clarity and precision in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are moving" functions primarily as a declarative statement, indicating an action or state of being. It asserts that a group is currently in the process of changing location or position. As supported by Ludwig's examples, this phrase is versatile and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they are moving" is a versatile and common phrase used to describe a group's change in physical location or progress toward a goal. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable in various contexts, primarily in news and media, but also in formal business settings. While the phrase itself is neutral in tone, it's essential to ensure clarity by considering whether more specific verbs might better convey the intended meaning. Alternatives such as "they are relocating" or "they are progressing" can add precision to your writing. Remember to use "they are moving" to describe movement, direction, or progress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are relocating

Specifically indicates a change of residence or business location.

they are transferring

Indicates a movement from one place or position to another, often in a structured way.

they are progressing

Emphasizes forward momentum or advancement, differing from a simple change in location.

they are proceeding

Highlights the continuation of a process or action.

they are advancing

Suggests moving forward, often in a strategic or planned manner.

they are shifting

Implies a change in position, focus, or strategy.

they are migrating

Typically refers to a large-scale movement of people or animals from one region to another.

they are journeying

Implies a longer, more intentional act of travel.

they are developing

Focuses on growth and evolution, rather than physical movement.

they are trending

Refers to a general direction or pattern of change over time.

FAQs

What does "they are moving" mean?

The phrase "they are moving" generally means a group of people or things is changing their position or location. It can also refer to progress or advancement.

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

You can use "they are moving" to describe physical relocation, as in, "They are relocating to a new city." It can also describe progress, like "They are progressing towards their goals."

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "they are relocating", "they are progressing", or "they are advancing".

Is "they're moving" different from "they are moving"?

"They're moving" is a contraction of "they are moving". They have the same meaning and are interchangeable.