to be communicating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be communicating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of conveying information or messages, often in a continuous or ongoing sense. Example: "The team seems to be communicating effectively during the project meetings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He wants people to be communicating".

The New York Times - Sports

They appear to be communicating telepathically, without exchanging glances.

The New York Times - Arts

She notoriously claimed to be communicating with eternal Indian Masters.

The New Yorker

It's a good time to be communicating with computers.

MIT Technology Review

It was strange, too, to be communicating as two middle-aged people.

The New Yorker

"We have to be communicating and articulating to our clients," said Mr. Staley of JPMorgan Chase.

The New York Times

We need to be communicating that many tough challenges will require stamina and sustained effort and commitment.

The Guardian

"What we do is make people communicate with whom they are supposed to be communicating with quicker".

The New York Times

She did not appear to be communicating with Chidiak, but Boillat determined that she was having an affair with a married colleague — Hervé Falciani.

The New Yorker

Coughlan and Stepney were shown to be communicating regularly not only since before the first race of the season, but also with two McLaren drivers.

The New York Times - Sports

The teleprompter gets in the way, preventing him from seeing the people he's supposed to be communicating with, much less looking them in the eye.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity in professional settings, ensure that all parties involved understand which communication channels are preferred. State explicitly that you expect everyone "to be communicating" via email, phone, or project management software for seamless collaboration.

Common error

Avoid phrasing like "information needs "to be communicating" effectively" which obscures the actor. Instead, clarify who should be actively communicating to enhance readability. It's better to say, "the team needs "to be communicating" effectively".

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to be communicating" functions as part of a verb phrase, often indicating a continuous or ongoing action. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples show it describing actions like teams communicating, devices communicating, and individuals maintaining contact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

7%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be communicating" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase widely used to describe the ongoing exchange of information or signals. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts. It's particularly common in News & Media, Academia and Scientific domains, indicating its suitability for both formal and informal communication. While "to be communicating" is broadly applicable, consider using alternative phrases like "to be interacting" or "to be corresponding" to more precisely convey the intended meaning. Avoiding overuse of the passive voice and being mindful of the context will help ensure clarity and effectiveness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be in contact

Focuses on the state of having connections established for communication.

to be interacting

Emphasizes the reciprocal action of communication.

to be corresponding

Highlights communication through written exchanges.

to be conversing

Stresses the act of having a spoken exchange.

to be sharing information

Highlights the aspect of exchanging data or knowledge.

to be exchanging messages

Focuses on the exchange of specific messages.

to be reaching out

Emphasizes the action of initiating communication.

to be keeping in touch

Highlights the aspect of maintaining ongoing communication.

to be having discussions

Focuses on formal or structured conversations.

to be relating

Stresses the act of telling a story or account.

FAQs

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

You can use "to be communicating" in sentences like, "It is essential for team members "to be communicating" clearly and regularly" or "The devices appear "to be communicating" with each other wirelessly".

What are some alternatives to "to be communicating"?

Some alternatives include "to be interacting", "to be corresponding", or "to be in contact", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "to be communicating" in formal writing?

Yes, "to be communicating" is perfectly acceptable in formal writing. It clearly conveys the idea of exchanging information or maintaining contact. However, you might consider alternatives like "to be liaising" for greater precision in certain contexts.

What's the difference between "to be communicating" and "to communicate"?

"To communicate" is the base infinitive form, while "to be communicating" implies a continuous or ongoing action. For example, "They need to communicate" suggests a general need, whereas "They need "to be communicating"" emphasizes the continuous nature of the communication.