they are ordering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they are ordering" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action where a group of people is in the process of placing an order for something, such as food or products. Example: "At the restaurant, they are ordering their meals while discussing the day's events."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Food

Online Shopping

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Increasingly they are ordering online.

The Economist

And they are ordering ahead.

The Guardian - Business

"They are ordering more mince, sausages and chicken.

Independent

They are ordering fewer pilots, and doing away with the lavish parties with series stars.

The New York Times

"Now that they have taken over the state apparatus, they are ordering the judiciary to come after us".

The New York Times

There has been a drop in the number of people dining, but they are ordering more wine".

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

They are printed as they are ordered, so there is never a backlog of unsold books.

The New York Times

Those people can be soldiers when they are ordered to be.

The New York Times - Arts

"The Cubans go wherever they are ordered to go," he said, "because they have been conscientisized.

The New Yorker

The clusters are called layers if they are ordered and are called slabs otherwise.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

ME: They are ordered on the internet.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they are ordering", ensure the context clearly identifies who "they" refers to. This avoids ambiguity and ensures clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "they are ordering" without a clear antecedent for "they". Always ensure the reader knows who is placing the order to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are ordering" functions as a verb phrase in the present continuous tense. It indicates an ongoing action performed by a group of people, describing that they are currently in the process of making an order, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Food

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they are ordering" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase in the present continuous tense. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is employed to describe the ongoing action of a group requesting or purchasing something. The phrase is versatile and suitable for various contexts, most frequently appearing in news and media, as well as in discussions related to food and online shopping. While alternatives such as "they are requesting" or "they are purchasing" can be used, it’s crucial to maintain clarity by ensuring the antecedent of "they" is well-defined to avoid ambiguity. Overall, "they are ordering" is a clear, concise, and effective way to communicate a present action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are placing an order

Expands the phrase to include the full action of 'placing an order'.

they are putting in an order

Substitutes the verb 'ordering' with the more verbose 'putting in an order'.

they are requesting

Replaces 'ordering' with 'requesting', implying a formal or polite request.

they are putting in a request

Uses a more descriptive phrase emphasizing the act of making a request.

they are purchasing

Substitutes 'ordering' with 'purchasing', focusing on the act of buying.

they are acquiring

Replaces 'ordering' with 'acquiring', suggesting the act of obtaining something.

they are procuring

Uses 'procuring' instead of 'ordering', often implying a formal or official process.

they are obtaining

Replaces 'ordering' with 'obtaining', indicating the act of gaining possession.

they are arranging for

Replaces 'ordering' with 'arranging for', implying a preparation or planning for something.

they are securing

Replaces 'ordering' with 'securing', emphasizing the act of ensuring receipt of something.

FAQs

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

Use "they are ordering" to describe a group of people currently in the process of requesting or purchasing something. For example, "At the restaurant, they are ordering their meals."

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

You can use alternatives like "they are requesting", "they are purchasing", or "they are placing an order" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "they are ordering" and "they ordered"?

"They are ordering" indicates a present, ongoing action, while "they ordered" refers to a completed action in the past. For example, "They are ordering now" versus "They ordered an hour ago."

Is it correct to say "they're ordering" instead of "they are ordering"?

Yes, "they're ordering" is a contraction of "they are ordering" and is perfectly acceptable in both spoken and written English. The choice depends on the desired level of formality.