we are probing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we are probing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an investigation, inquiry, or exploration of a topic or issue. Example: "In our research, we are probing the effects of climate change on marine biodiversity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"We are probing, so stay tuned.

The Guardian

"We are probing, so stay tuned," he said.

The Washington Post

We are probing the role of many more," Sonia Narang, head of the criminal investigation department told AFP.

The Guardian

We are probing this question by combining visual psychophysics, invasive neurophysiological recordings in humans, and computational modeling.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

For example, we are probing the mechanisms by which translation initiation factors in humans regulate the levels of protein synthesis on specific mRNAs.

University of California, Berkeley

However, even in our most conservative analysis we find a fraction of more than 0.33 (0.11) at 68percent95percentr cent) probability, indicating that we are probing well within the reionization epoch of the Universe.

Nature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

When we are probed by questions beyond our introspective competence, we have to make the answers up as best we can.

The New York Times - Books

"We were probing: 'Who drives that?' 'Well,' people said, 'a person that's successful, educated.' We were able to communicate back to Intel that this name had a lot of what we call 'intrinsic value.' " In October, 1992, Grove announced the name on CNN.

The New Yorker

We're probing for more details.

TechCrunch

"We were probing, had a vast amount of possession but didn't have that cutting edge.

BBC

"We were probing, trying all sorts of ways of getting around them.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we are probing" when describing an ongoing investigation or exploration, particularly when actively seeking new information or understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "we are probing" excessively in highly formal documents like legal briefs or official reports. Opt for more precise terms like "we are investigating" or "we are examining" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we are probing" functions as a declarative statement indicating an ongoing process of investigation or inquiry. It conveys that the speakers or writers are actively involved in seeking information or understanding, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we are probing" is a versatile expression used to indicate an ongoing investigation or exploration. Ludwig's analysis shows it is grammatically correct and commonly found in various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While suitable for many situations, it's best to consider the formality of your writing and choose more precise alternatives like "we are investigating" or "we are examining" in highly formal documents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are investigating

Replaces "probing" with "investigating", implying a formal inquiry.

we are exploring

Substitutes "probing" with "exploring", suggesting a broader, less structured inquiry.

we are examining

Replaces "probing" with "examining", indicating a detailed inspection.

we are studying

Substitutes "probing" with "studying", implying academic research.

we are analyzing

Replaces "probing" with "analyzing", suggesting a systematic evaluation.

we are checking

Substitutes "probing" with "checking", indicating a verification process.

we are looking into

Replaces "probing" with "looking into", providing a more informal tone.

we are inquiring into

Substitutes "probing" with "inquiring into", implying a formal questioning.

we are delving into

Replaces "probing" with "delving into", suggesting a deeper investigation.

we are researching

Substitutes "probing" with "researching", highlighting a formal research activity.

FAQs

What does "we are probing" mean?

The phrase "we are probing" means that a group is actively investigating, exploring, or examining something, often in search of new information or deeper understanding.

How can I use "we are probing" in a sentence?

You can use "we are probing" to describe an ongoing investigation. For example: "We are probing the potential causes of the recent market fluctuations."

What can I say instead of "we are probing"?

You can use alternatives like "we are investigating", "we are examining", or "we are exploring" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "we are probing" and "we are investigating"?

"We are probing" implies a more exploratory approach, while "we are investigating" suggests a more structured and formal inquiry. The choice depends on the nature and formality of the situation.