to be choosing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be choosing" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express an ongoing or future action of making a choice, but it is generally better to use simpler forms. Example: "I seem to be choosing the wrong path in my career."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Other investors appear to be choosing sides.

The New York Times

Most seem to be choosing the latter.

The New York Times

At Glastonbury, Snoop appears to be choosing his songs carefully.

The Guardian - Music

I remember I am supposed to be choosing cigarettes and study the range on offer.

The Guardian - Books

Many seemed to be choosing their future careers more or less at random.

The New Yorker

"We're going to be choosing between bad, worse and worst," Mr. Miller said yesterday.

The New York Times

But that is the option many governments seem to be choosing.

The Economist

It's a tricky time to be choosing among horses trained in Newmarket, with a virus doing the rounds.

The Guardian - Sport

Voters seemed to be choosing less on specific issues than on what they thought about Mr. Orban and Fidesz.

The New York Times

"We're able to retain more talented teachers, and principals are extremely happy to be choosing their own teams".

The New York Times

At the time, the couple happened to be choosing birth announcements for the arrival of their son.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be choosing", ensure the context clearly indicates an ongoing or future action of making a choice. Consider whether a simpler tense or a more direct verb like "selecting" or "deciding" might be more effective.

Common error

Avoid using "to be choosing" when a simple present or future tense would be clearer and more concise. Overuse of the progressive can make your writing sound unnecessarily wordy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be choosing" functions as a verb phrase in the progressive aspect. It indicates an action of selecting or deciding that is in progress or will be in progress at a certain time. As Ludwig shows, the progressive form emphasizes the ongoing nature of the act of making a choice.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be choosing" is a common verb phrase used to indicate an ongoing or future action of selection or decision-making. Ludwig's analysis and multiple examples from news and media outlets confirm its broad usage, though simpler alternatives might be preferred in some contexts. While grammatically acceptable, writers should be mindful of overuse and ensure the progressive aspect is genuinely intended. Consider alternatives like "selecting" or "deciding" for clearer and more concise writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be selecting

Focuses more directly on the act of selection. Slightly more formal.

to be opting for

Emphasizes making a choice in favor of something.

to be deciding on

Focuses on the decision-making process leading to a choice.

to be picking out

Suggests a more casual or careful selection process.

to be settling on

Implies a final decision after considering other options.

to be going with

A more informal way of saying choosing something.

to be favoring

Emphasizes a preference for a particular option.

to be inclined to choose

Highlights a leaning or tendency towards a specific choice.

to be predisposed to select

Suggests a pre-existing preference or bias in the selection process.

to be in the process of choosing

Highlights the ongoing nature of the act of choosing.

FAQs

How can I use "to be choosing" in a sentence?

You can use "to be choosing" to express an ongoing or future action of making a choice. For example, "The company seems "to be choosing" quality over quantity."

What are some alternatives to "to be choosing"?

Alternatives include "to be selecting", "to be opting for", or "to be deciding on". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "to be choosing" grammatically correct?

While grammatically acceptable, the phrase "to be choosing" can sometimes sound awkward. Ludwig AI analysis reveals it's best used when emphasizing the ongoing nature of the decision-making process. Simpler forms are often preferable.

What is the difference between "to be choosing" and "to choose"?

"To choose" represents a general ability or intention to select, while "to be choosing" suggests a specific instance or ongoing process of selecting. For example, “He likes to choose” versus “He seems "to be choosing" carefully”.