this is happening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is happening" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is occurring currently. For example: "The sun is setting - this is happening right before our eyes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This is happening!

The New Yorker

None of this is happening.

Independent

"This is happening," Bender said.

The New York Times - Magazine

This is happening very rapidly.

The New York Times

This is happening again.

The Guardian - Opinion

And this is happening.

The Guardian

This is happening everywhere.

The Guardian

This is happening daily.

The Guardian

This is happening countrywide".

The Guardian

All this is happening today.

The New York Times

"This is happening," he says.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is happening" to convey immediacy and emphasize that something is currently in progress. It's suitable for drawing attention to an ongoing event or development.

Common error

Avoid using "this is happening" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise and nuanced language may be expected. Consider alternatives like "this is occurring" or "this is transpiring".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is happening" primarily functions as a declarative statement in the present continuous tense. According to Ludwig AI, it indicates that something is currently in progress. Examples in Ludwig highlight its use in conveying immediacy and current relevance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "this is happening" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression in the English language, primarily functioning as a declarative statement emphasizing an ongoing event. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Its primary context, as showcased by Ludwig, lies within news and media, where it serves to convey immediacy and current relevance. While versatile, it is advisable to use more formal alternatives like "this is occurring" in academic or highly professional settings. Overall, "this is happening" is a powerful tool for highlighting present-day occurrences across various communicative contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is unfolding

Replaces "happening" with "unfolding", suggesting a gradual reveal or development.

this is occurring

Substitutes "happening" with the more formal "occurring".

this is underway

Replaces the entire phrase with "underway", indicating something is in progress.

this is in progress

Similar to "underway" but more explicit about the progression.

this is transpiring

Uses the more formal term "transpiring" instead of "happening".

this is taking place

Replaces "happening" with "taking place", indicating a scheduled or organized event.

this is materializing

Suggests something is becoming real or concrete.

this is coming to pass

More formal and often used to describe the fulfillment of a prophecy or expectation.

this is now a reality

Emphasizes that something has transitioned from a possibility to a concrete fact.

this is the current situation

Describes the current circumstances or state of affairs in a factual manner.

FAQs

How can I use "this is happening" in a sentence?

You can use "this is happening" to describe an event currently in progress. For example, "The vote is being counted; "this is happening" now."

What's a more formal alternative to "this is happening"?

Alternatives include phrases like "this is occurring" or "this is transpiring", which are suitable for academic or professional settings.

When is it appropriate to use "this is happening"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the present and ongoing nature of an event. It's commonly used in news reports, casual conversation, and informal writing.

Is "this is happening" grammatically correct?

Yes, "this is happening" is grammatically correct. It uses the present continuous tense to describe an action in progress.