How to use "is being investigated"

What Does "is being investigated" Mean?

• The expression "is being investigated" signifies that a subject (person, matter, incident, etc.) is currently the object of a formal or official inquiry. This implies an ongoing process of examination to uncover facts and determine the truth about a particular situation.
• The meaning is compositional. Each word contributes its meaning: "is" (present tense), "being" (continuous aspect in passive voice), and "investigated" (past participle of the verb "investigate"). The combination creates a passive construction indicating an ongoing investigation.
• Register: Neutral

How to Use It

• Grammatical pattern: is/are + being + investigated (passive voice, present continuous tense). The subject precedes the verb phrase.
• Typical objects: matters, incidents, claims, allegations, deaths, individuals, companies, etc. Prepositions such as "as" or "by" may follow to specify the nature or the investigating body (e.g., "is being investigated as suspicious," "is being investigated by the police").
• The components cannot be separated.
• What sounds unnatural: Using an active voice construction (e.g., "someone is investigating the matter" instead of "the matter is being investigated"), using the wrong auxiliary verb (e.g., "was being investigated" when the investigation is ongoing), or using an incorrect tense (e.g., "is investigated").

Real-World Examples

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

"Which is being investigated by 12 specialist investigators"." — The Guardian - Music

"The matter is being investigated." — BBC

"It is being investigated as suspicious." — The New York Times

"Every link is being investigated," he said." — The New York Times

"In fact, the former president is being investigated for corruption." — The Guardian - Opinion

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

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
is under investigation	Very similar meaning; slightly more concise.
is being looked into	More informal; suitable for less formal contexts.
is being examined	Emphasizes a detailed and thorough review; slightly more formal.
is the subject of an inquiry	More formal and emphasizes the process of questioning.
is being reviewed	Implies a formal assessment or evaluation; often used in business contexts.
is being probed	Suggests a deeper, more intrusive investigation.

Common Mistakes

• Using the active voice instead of the passive voice (e.g., "They are investigating the matter" instead of "The matter is being investigated").
• Incorrectly conjugating the auxiliary verbs (e.g., "is investigate" instead of "is being investigated", or "was being investigate").
• Learners often struggle with the passive voice construction, using the active voice instead or incorrectly conjugating the auxiliary verbs ('be' and 'have').

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Meaning	Grammatical Pattern	Register
is being investigated	Undergoing a formal inquiry or examination	is/are + being + investigated (passive voice, present continuous)	Neutral

FAQs

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

No, the phrase "is being investigated" is a fixed grammatical structure. The auxiliary verb "is", the present participle "being", and the past participle "investigated" must remain together to maintain the correct passive voice construction and meaning.

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What's the difference between "is being investigated" and "is under investigation"?

Both phrases mean that something is currently being examined, but "is under investigation" is slightly more concise and direct. "Is being investigated" emphasizes the ongoing nature of the process, while "is under investigation" simply states the current state.

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What's a common mistake people make when using "is being investigated", and how can I avoid it?

A common mistake is using the active voice instead of the passive voice or incorrectly conjugating the auxiliary verbs. To avoid this, remember to use the structure "is/are + being + investigated" and ensure the subject is the recipient of the action, not the performer. For example, say "The claim is being investigated," not "They are investigating the claim" or "The claim is investigate."