"Is being examined" means that something or someone is currently undergoing a process of inspection, investigation, or scrutiny. It implies an active and ongoing review.
The meaning is compositional. Each word contributes directly to the overall meaning: "is" (auxiliary verb indicating present tense), "being" (auxiliary verb indicating continuous aspect), and "examined" (past participle of "examine," indicating the action of scrutinizing).
The register is generally neutral to formal. It is commonly used in news reports, official statements, and academic writing.
The grammatical pattern is a passive construction: auxiliary verb "is" + auxiliary verb "being" + past participle "examined". The subject of the sentence is the thing or person being acted upon.
The object being examined usually precedes the phrase. Common prepositions following the phrase are by (indicating the examiner) and for (indicating the purpose of the examination).
The components cannot be separated. It is a fixed grammatical structure.
Using the wrong tense or aspect (e.g., "is examined" instead of "is being examined" when referring to an ongoing process) sounds unnatural. Incorrect prepositions or illogical objects also create unnatural sentences. For example, "The weather is being examined" would only make sense in a very specific, metaphorical context.
These examples are sourced from is being examined on Ludwig.guru.
"The bus is being examined for mechanical failures, he said." — The New York Times
"His legacy is being examined in conferences and books." — The New York Times
"Every possible lead is being examined," he said." — The New York Times
"A preliminary assessment of the project is being examined by the state Department of Environmental Conservation." — The New York Times
"The deal is being examined by the New Jersey attorney general's office." — The New York Times
Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/is+being+examined
| Phrase | Context |
|---|---|
| is under investigation | Implies a more formal and potentially legal inquiry. |
| is being reviewed | Suggests a more general assessment or evaluation. |
| is being analyzed | Focuses on a detailed and systematic examination. |
| is being assessed | Emphasizes the evaluation of value or quality. |
| is under consideration | Indicates that something is being thought about or evaluated for a decision. |
| is being audited | Specifically refers to a financial or procedural examination. |
| is being inspected | Highlights a physical or visual examination. |
Learners often struggle with the correct tense and aspect when using the passive voice, especially with continuous tenses (e.g., incorrectly using 'is examined' instead of 'is being examined' when emphasizing the ongoing action).
| Expression | Meaning | Grammatical Pattern | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| is being examined | Undergoing a process of inspection, investigation, or scrutiny. | auxiliary verb "is" + auxiliary verb "being" + past participle "examined" | Neutral to formal |
No, the components of "is being examined" cannot be separated. It is a fixed grammatical structure used to form the present continuous passive voice. Any attempt to insert words between these elements would result in an ungrammatical sentence.
"Is being examined" indicates an ongoing action, meaning the examination is currently in progress. On the other hand, "is examined" (simple present passive) suggests a habitual or general action, implying that something is examined regularly or as a standard procedure. The continuous form emphasizes the process, while the simple form emphasizes the fact of examination.
To correctly use the present continuous passive, use the structure: "is/are + being + past participle." Remember that the present continuous passive (is being examined) highlights an action in progress. Avoid the common mistake of using the simple present passive (is examined) when you want to emphasize the ongoing nature of the examination.
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