to be drinking

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be drinking" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe an ongoing action or a state of being related to drinking. Example: "He seems to be drinking more water lately." Alternative expressions include "to be consuming" and "to be partaking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

There's no reason for you to be drinking your drink sans straw anymore (despite what BuzzFeed may think).

Huffington Post

Alright, since you're probably not only going to be drinking water, whatever you do drink, keep it warm.

WikiHow

But those who do drink in these societies seem to be drinking more.

The New Yorker

"They're going to be drinking.

The New York Times

She seemed to be drinking water.

The New York Times

And you will be guaranteed to be drinking pure water.

Yale University

Besides, it's really too cold to be drinking beer.

The Washington Post

I want to be drinking with him in a bar.

The Guardian - Books

Is it cute to be drinking sodas all day long?

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

And it mattered that what café habitués were habituated to was drinking coffee.

The New Yorker

Water from the lake "comes close to being drinking quality," said Mr. Feese of the Eagles Mere Association.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be drinking" when describing an ongoing action, like "They seem to be drinking more water lately".

Common error

Don't use "to be drinking" when you mean a completed action. Instead of "I'm glad to be drinking that juice", which implies you're still drinking, say "I was glad to drink that juice".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be drinking" functions as a present continuous infinitive phrase. It is used to describe an action that is in progress or ongoing. It appears in various contexts as shown by Ludwig, indicating its broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be drinking" functions as a present continuous infinitive phrase used to describe an action in progress. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts, especially in news and media. While versatile, it’s important to use it accurately, ensuring it reflects an ongoing rather than a completed action. Related phrases such as "to be consuming" or "to be imbibing" can offer more formal alternatives, depending on the specific tone and context required. Remember "to be drinking" is your best choice to describe a continuous action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be having a drink

Rephrases the action with a common and slightly more casual expression.

to be taking a drink

Similar to "to be having a drink" but emphasizes the act of physically taking the beverage.

to be consuming

Replaces "drinking" with a more formal synonym, implying a deliberate act of taking something in.

to be enjoying a drink

Adds an element of pleasure and satisfaction to the act of drinking.

to be imbibing

Uses a more literary and refined term for drinking, suggesting a leisurely or appreciative manner.

to be sipping

Specifies the manner of drinking, implying small tastes taken over time.

to be quaffing

Suggests drinking heartily and quickly, often implying enjoyment.

to be partaking of

Offers a formal and somewhat distanced way of saying "to be drinking", often used in ceremonial or polite contexts.

to be hydrating

Focuses on the purpose of drinking – to replenish fluids, usually water.

to be ingesting

A more clinical term for taking something into the body, including liquids.

FAQs

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

Use "to be drinking" to describe an action that is currently in progress or is expected to continue. For instance, "They seem "to be drinking" more water lately" indicates an ongoing behavior.

What's a more formal way to say "to be drinking"?

If you need a more formal alternative, consider using "to be consuming" or "to be imbibing", depending on the context and the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "to be drank" instead of "to be drinking"?

No, "to be drank" is not grammatically correct in this context. "To be drinking" is the present continuous infinitive, while "to be drank" would imply a passive construction, which doesn't fit the intended meaning.

What is the difference between "to be drinking" and "to drink"?

"To drink" is the base form of the infinitive and refers to the general action of drinking. "To be drinking" refers to a continuous or ongoing action. For example, "It is important to drink water" versus "It is important "to be drinking" water throughout the day".