To be serious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "To be serious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when transitioning to a more earnest or sincere tone in a conversation or text. Example: "To be serious, we need to address the issues that have been affecting our team’s performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To be serious, they must offer much more".

The New York Times

To be serious, verify yourself first.

WikiHow

Parliament is supposed to be serious.

Independent

She was trying to be serious.

The New Yorker

This was going to be serious.

The New York Times - Travel

We wanted it to be serious.

The New York Times

But Mr. Scott means to be serious.

The New York Times - Books

But Obama appears to be serious.

The New Yorker

Still, he appeared to be serious.

The New Yorker

"But we want this to be serious.

The New Yorker

Intel seemed to be serious.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "To be serious" to transition from a lighter or humorous tone to a more focused and earnest discussion. It signals a shift in the conversation's intent.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences or paragraphs with "To be serious". Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and insincere. Vary your transitional phrases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "To be serious" functions as a discourse marker, signaling a transition to a more earnest or sincere segment within a conversation or text. According to Ludwig AI, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "To be serious" is a grammatically sound phrase used to signal a shift toward earnestness or sincerity. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable expression. While relatively rare in occurrence, it serves an important function in communication, marking a transition to more focused and important points. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, especially news and media, but it should be used judiciously to avoid redundancy. Alternatives like "in all seriousness" or "on a serious note" can provide variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In all seriousness

Adds emphasis on the sincere intention of the statement.

On a serious note

Introduces a grave or significant topic.

Seriously speaking

Highlights the earnestness of the speaker's intent.

Let's be real

Calls for honesty and directness, moving away from triviality.

To be frank

Signals a direct and honest communication style.

Frankly speaking

Indicates a candid and sincere expression of opinion.

In truth

Emphasizes the veracity of the statement.

In earnest

Suggests a sincere and determined approach.

With sincerity

Emphasizes the genuineness of the statement.

Honestly

Indicates a truthful and straightforward manner.

FAQs

How can I use "To be serious" in a sentence?

Use "To be serious" to indicate a shift to a more earnest topic, such as, "To be serious, we need to address the budget concerns immediately."

What phrases are similar to "To be serious"?

Alternatives include "in all seriousness", "on a serious note", or "frankly speaking" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "To be serious" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to signal a change in tone from lighthearted to earnest. It's used to emphasize the importance or sincerity of what you are about to say.

Is there a difference between "To be serious" and "Seriously"?

Yes, "To be serious" is a phrase used to introduce a more earnest point, while "Seriously" is an adverb used to emphasize a statement or question. For example, "To be serious, the situation is dire," versus "Are you seriously considering that option?"