are to

USAGE SUMMARY

"are to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate a requirement or an obligation. For example: "All employees are to wear a face mask when entering the office."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Trials are to come.

The New Yorker

More are to come.

The Economist

Both are to leave.

The Economist

We are to unpredictable.

The New Yorker

Ours are to feed.

The New York Times

"Our expectations are to win.

The New York Times

And they are: to us.

The New York Times - Books

Our obligations are to them.

The Guardian

Print ads are to follow.

The New York Times

Several factors are to blame.

The Economist

House prices are to blame.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are to" to convey a sense of formal obligation or planned action, particularly in official or formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "are to" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly stiff or unnatural. Opt for alternatives like "going to" or "will" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are to" functions primarily as an auxiliary verb combined with the infinitive marker "to" to express future tense with a sense of obligation, arrangement, or intention. Ludwig's AI confirms the correctness and usability of this structure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that expresses obligation, future plans, or arrangements. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is most common in news and media, encyclopedias, and formal business contexts. When writing, it is best to use "are to" in formal situations to convey a sense of authority or planned action, while avoiding overuse in casual or informal contexts where alternatives like "will" or "going to" are more appropriate. Remember that while similar to phrases like "is scheduled to" or "must", "are to" carries a distinct nuance of formal planning or external obligation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is scheduled to

Focuses on planned or scheduled events, rather than general obligations.

is required to

Emphasizes a formal or legal obligation.

is meant to

Highlights intention or purpose, often implying a design or expectation.

should

Expresses recommendation or expectation, but can be less forceful than "are to".

must

Indicates a strong obligation or requirement, often more emphatic than "are to".

needs to

Implies a necessity or requirement, often focused on a need.

has to

Indicates obligation, necessity, or compulsion.

will

Indicates future intention or prediction, lacking the sense of obligation.

is going to

Expresses future intention or plan, often more informal.

is bound to

Suggests inevitability or a strong likelihood based on circumstances.

FAQs

How is "are to" used in a sentence?

"Are to" indicates a future action, obligation, or instruction, often in a formal or planned context. For example, "The documents "are to be submitted" by Friday."

What phrases are similar to "are to"?

Alternatives include "is scheduled to", "is required to", or "must", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When should I use "are to" instead of "will" or "going to"?

Use "are to" when emphasizing obligation, formal arrangements, or instructions. "Will" and "going to" are more suitable for simple future predictions or intentions without the same level of formality. For example, "The rules "are to be followed" strictly" is more formal than "The rules will be followed."

Is "are to" interchangeable with "have to"?

While both express obligation, "are to" is generally more formal and often implies an external instruction or planned event. "Have to" is more common for expressing personal necessity or obligation. Therefore, they are not always interchangeable; context matters.