The phrase "is being evaluated" signifies that something is currently in the process of being assessed, reviewed, or judged. It implies an ongoing examination to determine its value, effectiveness, or suitability.
The meaning is compositional, meaning the individual words contribute directly to the overall meaning. "Is" is a form of the verb "to be," "being" indicates a continuous action in the passive voice, and "evaluated" means to assess or judge.
The register is neutral, suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
The grammatical pattern is: auxiliary verb + being + past participle (is/are/was/were + being + evaluated).
Typical objects are the subject matter undergoing assessment: a program, a person's performance, a product, a plan, etc. It's often followed by a phrase indicating by whom the evaluation is being conducted, using the preposition "by".
The components of "is being evaluated" must stay together. Separating them would disrupt the passive continuous construction.
What sounds unnatural: Using an active voice construction when a passive one is required, using the wrong auxiliary verb (e.g., "is evaluate"), using the wrong tense (e.g., "is evaluated").
"It is being evaluated using the Medical Research Council's framework for the evaluation of complex interventions." — BMC Palliative Care
"His status is being evaluated." — The New York Times
""That particular finding is being evaluated further," Dr. Schuchat said." — The New York Times
"The project is being evaluated by clinical psychologist Andrew Beck from Manchester children's hospital." — The Guardian
"But each pipeline project is being evaluated more or less in isolation." — The New Yorker
Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/is+being+evaluated
| Phrase | Context |
|---|---|
| is under review | Similar meaning, emphasizes the process of examination. |
| is being assessed | Synonymous, focuses on the measurement aspect. |
| is being considered | Implies a more general contemplation or deliberation. |
| is being examined | Suggests a detailed and careful inspection. |
| is in the process of being judged | More verbose, emphasizes the judgmental aspect. |
| is undergoing scrutiny | Implies a careful and critical examination. |
| is being investigated | Suggests an inquiry to uncover facts or wrongdoing. |
Learners often struggle with the passive voice construction, using incorrect auxiliary verbs or tenses, or omitting the "by" phrase when the agent is known.
| Expression | Meaning | Grammatical Pattern | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| is being evaluated | Currently undergoing assessment or review | auxiliary verb + being + past participle | Neutral |
No, the components of "is being evaluated" must stay together to maintain the passive continuous construction. Separating them disrupts the grammatical structure and meaning of the phrase. For example, inserting words between "being" and "evaluated" would be incorrect.
While both phrases indicate something is under attention, "is being evaluated" implies a more structured and formal assessment process. "Is being considered" suggests a more general contemplation or deliberation, without necessarily involving a specific evaluation framework.
A common mistake is omitting the "by" phrase when the agent performing the evaluation is known or relevant. For example, instead of saying "The proposal is being evaluated," specify "The proposal is being evaluated by the committee" to provide a clearer understanding of who is conducting the assessment.
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