Be accepted to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Be accepted to" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form would typically be "be accepted into" when referring to being admitted to a program, school, or organization. Example: "I hope to be accepted into my first-choice university next year."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Be accepted to an Ivy League institution following a hefty donation from your parents.

The New Yorker

Be accepted to Master's degrees programs in architecture by April 2015.

WikiHow

Osbaldo is one of a lucky batch to be accepted to Monmouth College in western Illinois.

The Economist

Free, but donations will be accepted to benefit the auditorium, which sustained damage during Hurricane Sandy.

The New York Times - Arts

To be accepted, to be thought nice, is traditionally woman's power.

The New York Times - Magazine

About 55 applicants will be accepted to this year's Teacher Training program.

Stanford University

Students must first apply and be accepted to one of our programs.

Columbia University

Students need to apply and be accepted to the other program separately, then notify Stanford GSB.

Stanford University

After leaving high school, Duva doctored his birth certificate to be accepted to the Civilian Conservation Corps.

The New York Times

"Are we preparing kids for college or are we preparing kids to be accepted to college?" she asked.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Our son was accepted to an Ivy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "be accepted into" rather than "be accepted to" for grammatical accuracy. While the latter is common, it is not considered standard English.

Common error

Don't follow the common, yet incorrect, pattern of using "to" after "accepted" when referring to institutions or programs. Instead, use the preposition "into" to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Be accepted to" functions as part of a passive construction indicating the state of being admitted or approved by an entity, typically an institution or organization. While frequently used, Ludwig AI highlights that it deviates from standard grammatical conventions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Academia

29%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Science

14%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "be accepted to" is widely used, particularly in news, academic, and online contexts, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates the standard English construction requires the preposition "into" instead. The most suitable alternative is "be accepted into". It's a common error, therefore it is important to favor grammatically correct alternatives such as "be admitted to" or "gain acceptance into" to ensure clarity and correctness, especially in professional and academic writing. Despite the high frequency of the phrase, adhering to proper grammar will enhance the credibility and precision of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Be admitted to

Replaces "accepted" with "admitted", offering a more formal and widely accepted alternative with almost identical meaning.

Be granted admission to

A more formal and emphatic way of saying "be admitted to", highlighting the granting of admission.

Gain acceptance into

Emphasizes the act of gaining acceptance, with "into" clarifying the destination, and using a more active voice.

Be selected for

Focuses on the selection process, suggesting a competitive environment and implies a degree of merit.

Be chosen for

Similar to "be selected for", but with a slightly less formal tone. Emphasizes the act of choosing.

Receive an offer from

Highlights the outcome of being accepted, focusing on the offer received from an institution or organization.

Secure a place at

Suggests successfully obtaining a position or spot at a location, indicating effort and competition.

Be enrolled in

Focuses on the final step of the process, being officially registered or listed in a program or institution.

Be welcomed into

Emphasizes the aspect of being received or greeted positively into a group or institution.

Be invited to join

Focuses on receiving an invitation, implying exclusivity and a desired position.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "be accepted to"?

The grammatically correct way to express this is to use "be accepted into". The preposition "into" clarifies the destination or program one is being accepted to.

Is "be accepted to" grammatically correct?

No, "be accepted to" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The correct phrasing is "be accepted into".

What are some alternatives to "be accepted to"?

Alternatives include "be admitted to", "gain acceptance into", or "be selected for" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "be accepted to" and "be accepted into"?

While "be accepted to" is commonly used, it's grammatically incorrect. "Be accepted into" is the correct form, as "into" indicates movement or entry into a specific place or program.