Are Being vs. Is Being – Which is Correct?
“Are being” and “is being” are both correct, but they agree with different subjects. Use “is being” with a singular subject, such as “the car,” and “are being” with a plural subject or “you.” Both usually form the present progressive passive, describing actions currently happening to people or things.
Are Being or Is Being – Which is Correct?
Both “are being” and “is being” are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the subject’s number. Use “is being” with singular nouns and pronouns, including he, she, and it. Use “are being” with plural nouns and pronouns, including we, they, and you.
These phrases commonly appear in the present progressive passive construction: subject + is/are + being + past participle. For example, “The package is being delivered” means someone is delivering the package now, while “The packages are being delivered” refers to multiple packages.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Look only at the subject before being. If you could replace it with he, she, or it, choose “is being.” If you could replace it with they or we, choose “are being.” Remember that you always takes “are being,” even when it refers to one person.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| are being | Auxiliary verb phrase | Used with plural subjects and “you” in a progressive passive construction | The documents are being reviewed. |
| is being | Auxiliary verb phrase | Used with singular subjects in a progressive passive construction | The document is being reviewed. |
How to Use Are Being
Use “are being” when the grammatical subject is plural or is the pronoun you. The phrase is followed by a past participle, such as examined, prepared, repaired, or considered. It indicates that an action is in progress and that the subject is receiving the action.
“Are being” is appropriate in formal and casual English. It often appears in reports, instructions, announcements, news writing, and everyday conversation.
Example 1: The new safety procedures are being introduced this month.
Example 2: Your questions are being answered by the support team.
Example 3: You are being invited to participate in the survey.
Etymology of the phrase are being
The phrase combines are, a present-tense form of the verb be, with being, the present participle of be. English developed this combination as part of its progressive passive system, which expresses an ongoing action performed on the subject.
How to Use Is Being
Use “is being” when the subject is singular, including a singular noun or the pronouns he, she, or it. Like “are being,” it is generally followed by a past participle and forms the present progressive passive.
“Is being” can describe a process happening now or around the present time. It can also emphasize that a situation is temporary or currently under way.
Example 1: The house is being renovated by a local contractor.
Example 2: She is being considered for the leadership position.
Example 3: The software is being updated automatically.
Etymology of the phrase is being
The phrase consists of is, the singular present-tense form of be, and being, its present participle. Together, they developed into a standard English auxiliary sequence for expressing an ongoing passive action involving a singular subject.
Related Concepts
Understanding subject–verb agreement and passive constructions makes the difference between “are being” and “is being” much easier to recognize.
- Subject–verb agreement: The auxiliary verb must match the subject. Singular subjects take is, while plural subjects and you take are.
- Present progressive passive: This construction uses is/are + being + past participle to show that an action is currently happening to the subject.
- Active voice: In an active sentence, the subject performs the action, as in “The team is reviewing the files.”
- Passive voice: In a passive sentence, the subject receives the action, as in “The files are being reviewed by the team.”
Examples from Media and Literature
Writers and speakers use both phrases whenever they need to describe ongoing processes, investigations, changes, or treatment. The following examples reflect common media and literary contexts:
- News reporting: “The results are being analyzed by researchers.” This emphasizes an investigation involving multiple results.
- Public announcements: “Roads are being closed because of severe weather.” The plural subject roads requires are.
- Documentary narration: “The ancient structure is being restored.” The singular subject structure requires is.
- Business writing: “The proposal is being reviewed by the board.” The singular noun proposal takes is being.
- Fictional dialogue: “You are being watched.” The pronoun you always takes are being, whether it refers to one person or several people.
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct phrase, are being or is being, to complete each sentence.
- The report ______ prepared for the meeting.
- The reports ______ prepared for the meeting.
- You ______ asked to remain seated.
- The children ______ taught how to swim.
- The machine ______ tested by an engineer.
Answer Key
- is being — “The report” is singular.
- are being — “The reports” is plural.
- are being — “You” always takes are.
- are being — “The children” is plural.
- is being — “The machine” is singular.
Are Being Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| are undergoing | Are experiencing or passing through an ongoing process |
| are receiving | Are having an action or treatment directed toward them |
| are in the process of being | Are currently involved in a particular passive process |
Is Being Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| is undergoing | Is experiencing or passing through an ongoing process |
| is receiving | Is having an action or treatment directed toward it or him or her |
| is in the process of being | Is currently involved in a particular passive process |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “are being” grammatically correct?
Yes. Use “are being” with plural subjects and with the pronoun “you,” as in “The houses are being painted” and “You are being informed.”
Question 2: Is “is being” grammatically correct?
Yes. Use “is being” with singular subjects, such as “The house is being painted” or “The application is being processed.”
Question 3: Should I use “are being” or “is being” with “you”?
Always use “are being” with “you,” even when addressing one person. For example, “You are being very helpful” is correct, while “You is being very helpful” is incorrect.
Question 4: What comes after “are being” or “is being”?
A past participle usually follows the phrase in a passive construction: “The files are being copied” or “The file is being copied.”
Question 5: Can “being” be omitted?
Not when you mean that a passive action is currently in progress. “The bridge is repaired” usually describes a completed condition or a general fact, while “The bridge is being repaired” describes work happening now.
Conclusion
Both “are being” and “is being” are correct. Choose “is being” for a singular subject and “are being” for a plural subject or you. Pro Tip: Checking subject–verb agreement carefully in professional writing improves clarity and protects your credibility.
