How to use "is being assessed"

What Does "is being assessed" Mean?

• The expression "is being assessed" means that something is currently in the process of being evaluated or judged. It implies an ongoing examination to determine its value, quality, importance, or effectiveness.
• The meaning is compositional. Each word contributes its individual meaning to form the overall meaning of the phrase. "Is" is a form of the verb "to be," indicating a state of being; "being" is the present participle of the verb "to be," used to form the continuous aspect; and "assessed" is the past participle of the verb "assess," meaning to evaluate or judge.
• The register is generally neutral to formal. It's suitable for academic, professional, and news contexts.

How to Use It

• The grammatical pattern is: auxiliary verb + present participle of 'to be' + past participle of 'assess'. This forms the present continuous passive voice.
• Typical objects are nouns referring to things, plans, claims, or people undergoing evaluation. It's often followed by prepositional phrases indicating the criteria or purpose of the assessment (e.g., "is being assessed for feasibility," "is being assessed by a panel").
• The components cannot be separated. The phrase functions as a unit to express the ongoing nature of the evaluation in the passive voice.
• What sounds unnatural: Using a different auxiliary verb tense (e.g., "was being assessed" when the assessment is ongoing), using an active voice construction when a passive one is needed, or omitting the "being". For example, "is assess" is incorrect.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from is being assessed on Ludwig.guru.

"The size of her claim is being assessed." — The Guardian

"The allegation has been recorded and is being assessed." — The Guardian

"Each indicator is being assessed for its feasibility, suitability and relevance." — The Guardian

"When an organisation is being assessed for IIP status, independent assessors talk to employers and employees." — The Guardian - Money

"Every police officer is suspicious of you, and every action you take is being assessed and judged," Mr. Mathews said. — The New York Times

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/is+being+assessed

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
is under review	Similar meaning, emphasizes a formal process of examination.
is being evaluated	A direct synonym, often used interchangeably.
is in the process of being assessed	More verbose, emphasizes the ongoing nature of the assessment.
is being examined	Similar to 'assessed' but might imply a more detailed or investigative approach.
is being considered	Suggests the assessment is preliminary, focused on whether to take further action.
is subject to assessment	Highlights the requirement or possibility of assessment, rather than the active process.
is currently being assessed	Adds emphasis on the present time frame of assessment.

Common Mistakes

• Using the incorrect form of the verb "to be," such as "are being assessed" when the subject is singular.
• Incorrectly using the active voice when the passive voice is required, e.g., "They are assessing it" instead of "It is being assessed."
• Learners often struggle with the passive voice construction, using the incorrect auxiliary verb or tense, such as "is assess" instead of "is being assessed".

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Meaning	Grammatical Pattern	Register
is being assessed	In the process of being evaluated or judged.	Auxiliary verb + present participle of 'to be' + past participle of 'assess' (present continuous passive).	Neutral to Formal

FAQs

Can the words in "is being assessed" be separated?

No, the phrase "is being assessed" should not be separated. It functions as a unit to express the present continuous passive voice, indicating an ongoing evaluation. Separating the components would disrupt the grammatical structure and meaning.

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How is "is being assessed" different from "is being evaluated"?

"Is being assessed" and "is being evaluated" are very similar and often used interchangeably. While both indicate an ongoing judgment, "evaluated" might suggest a more comprehensive and in-depth analysis compared to "is being assessed," which can be a more general term.

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What's wrong with saying "is assess", and how can I correct it?

The phrase "is assess" is grammatically incorrect because it's missing the present participle "being" to form the continuous aspect in the passive voice. The correct form is "is being assessed," which uses the auxiliary verb "is," the present participle "being," and the past participle "assessed" to accurately convey that something is currently in the process of evaluation.