they are planning

USAGE SUMMARY

"they are planning" is a perfectly acceptable sentence in written English.
You can use it in a variety of contexts when referring to plans that have not been finalized or made public yet. For example, "They are planning a surprise party for their parents' 50th anniversary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are planning big things.

The New York Times

They are planning a post-wedding honeymoon.

The New York Times

They are planning "something big".

The Guardian - Music

And they are planning more.

The Guardian - Business

They are planning this together".

The Guardian

They are planning a wedding in Aspen, Colo.

The New York Times

So they are planning a treehouse.

The New York Times - Travel

They are planning further appeals to government.

The Guardian - Business

What is the atrocity they are planning?

The Guardian - Books

We know they are planning that.

The New York Times

They are planning another market in July.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more specific verbs to replace "planning" if the nature of the plan is clear (e.g., "they are organizing", "they are scheduling", "they are designing").

Common error

Avoid simply stating that "they are planning" without providing context about what they are planning. Include details about the purpose, scope, and expected outcomes of the plan to make your writing more informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are planning" functions as a verb phrase indicating an ongoing action in the present continuous tense. It describes an activity that is currently in progress or intended to occur in the near future. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression follows standard grammar rules and is commonly used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they are planning" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe ongoing or future intentions of a group. As Ludwig AI validates, it adheres to standard English grammar rules. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a wide array of contexts, primarily in news, academic, and business settings. When using this phrase, it's crucial to provide enough context about the plans to avoid ambiguity. Consider using more descriptive alternatives like "they intend to do" or "they are preparing for" to enhance clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they intend to do

Emphasizes intention and purpose behind the action.

they are preparing for

Highlights the preparatory actions being taken.

they have scheduled

Focuses on the formal arrangement of events or activities.

they are arranging

Implies a process of organization and coordination.

they are getting ready for

Suggests an active and ongoing state of preparation.

they foresee

Focuses on predicting the future and organizing actions to that end.

they anticipate

Highlights expecting and preparing for something beforehand.

they are about to

Expresses imminent action or preparation for it.

their plans involve

Highlights the components and aspects of their plans.

they aim to

Focuses on the goal or objective of their planning.

FAQs

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

You can use "they are planning" to describe future actions or intentions. For example, "They are planning a conference for next year" or "They are planning to expand their business into new markets."

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

You can use alternatives like "they intend to do", "they are preparing for", or "they have scheduled" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "they are planing" instead of "they are planning"?

No, "they are planing" is incorrect. The correct phrase is "they are planning", with two 'n's. "Planing" refers to making something smooth or level.

What's the difference between "they are planning" and "they will plan"?

"They are planning" suggests an ongoing process or intention that is already in motion, while "they will plan" implies a future action that has not yet started. For instance, "They are planning a vacation" means the arrangements are underway, whereas "They will plan a vacation" means the decision to plan it has been made, but the actual planning hasn't begun.