are to feed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are to feed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a future obligation or purpose, often in formal or instructional contexts. Example: "The volunteers are to feed the animals at the shelter every morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Ours are to feed.

The New York Times

You feel that your tits are to feed – I mean, it's a physical thing.

The Guardian - Film

"Actually, when it comes down to it, it's not how many mouths there are to feed.

The New York Times

Their priorities are to secure the country, ours are to feed.

The New York Times

But it will be essential if we are to feed the world in an equitable, resilient and sustainable way.

The Guardian

That got Mr. Kroijer thinking about how many mouths there are to feed before an investor in a hedge fund actually sees a return.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The default position is to feed.

The New York Times - Health

"But the trick is to feed them".

The Guardian

The point was to feed religious and racial prejudice.

The New Yorker

Our first job is to feed the pigs.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The goal is to feed good food to hungry people".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are to feed" to clearly indicate a scheduled or assigned responsibility, as in, "The volunteers "are to feed" the animals before noon."

Common error

Avoid using "are to feed" in casual conversations; it's more suited for formal instructions or official announcements. In informal settings, phrases like "need to feed" or "have to feed" are generally more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are to feed" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing a future action or obligation. Ludwig examples show it indicating scheduled tasks or assigned duties.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are to feed" is a grammatically sound infinitive phrase primarily used to express a future obligation or planned action. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's correct and most appropriately used in formal or instructional settings. The phrase sees common usage in "News & Media", "Science", and "Formal & Business" contexts, where assigning duties or specifying schedules is crucial. While correct, it's more formal than alternatives like "need to feed" or "have to feed", making it less suitable for casual conversation. When using "are to feed", aim for clarity in scheduled responsibilities, as in instructions or official communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must feed

Expresses a strong necessity or obligation to feed.

need to feed

Indicates a requirement or need to provide food.

are required to feed

Similar to obligated, but may imply a rule or regulation.

are obligated to feed

Stresses the mandatory nature of feeding.

are tasked with feeding

Emphasizes the assigned duty of providing food.

are responsible for feeding

Specifies accountability for the action of feeding.

are in charge of feeding

Highlights the management role in ensuring feeding occurs.

are going to feed

Expresses a future intention or plan to feed.

should feed

Suggests a recommendation or advisability to feed.

will feed

Simple future tense indicating the action of feeding.

FAQs

How can I use "are to feed" in a sentence?

Use "are to feed" to indicate a planned or scheduled action, especially when assigning a responsibility. For example, "The designated team members "are to feed" the patients according to the doctor's orders."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "are to feed"?

Similar phrases include "must feed", "need to feed", or "are responsible for feeding", which all convey the idea of an obligation or necessity to provide food.

Is it correct to use "are to feed" in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "are to feed" is more formal. In everyday speech, alternatives like "have to feed" or "need to feed" are often preferred.

What's the difference between "are to feed" and "are going to feed"?

"Are to feed" implies a scheduled or assigned task, while "are going to feed" suggests a future intention or plan. The former is more about duty, the latter about a personal decision or prediction.