are to win

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are to win" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a future expectation or obligation regarding winning, often in a formal or literary context. Example: "The teams are to win their matches if they hope to qualify for the finals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Our expectations are to win.

The New York Times

My hopes this season are to win the thing.

The Guardian - Sport

It just shows how hard Group Ones are to win".

The Guardian - Sport

"If we are to win, this has to stop".

The New York Times

"If we are to win, that's the only way we can get there".

The New York Times

"Now my next steps are to win world and Olympic titles.

Independent

If they are to win concessive titles, he will have to shine.

Independent

If we are to win next year, it will be Ukip that becomes our main opposition.

Independent

If the Tories are to win another, it must be multicoloured.

The Economist

Despite Anderson's spectacular over Lancashire still have much toil ahead if they are to win.

The Guardian - Sport

His goals are to win the national ultramarathon 100K championship; his best finish was third.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are to win" to convey a sense of obligation, expectation, or future arrangement. For example, "If we are to win this competition, we must train harder."

Common error

Avoid using "are to win" in past tense constructions. Use "were to win" instead to refer to a past hypothetical situation; for example, "If they were to win, they would have celebrated wildly."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are to win" functions as a future-oriented conditional, typically indicating a necessary condition for a desired outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase expresses an expectation or requirement. Examples show its use in contexts ranging from sports to politics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are to win" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to express a future expectation, condition, or obligation linked to achieving a desired outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, its presence across various sources, especially in News & Media, highlights its versatility and acceptance in both formal and neutral contexts. While alternatives like "expected to win" or "likely to win" may offer similar meanings, "are to win" often carries a sense of planning or necessity. Remembering proper tense usage and subject-verb agreement ensures clarity in your writing. Therefore, use "are to win" to communicate an intended or required victory, keeping in mind the context and the level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

likely to win

Indicates a high probability of winning.

expected to win

Directly states an expectation or prediction of winning.

have to win

Conveys a necessity or requirement to win.

stand to win

Emphasizes the potential benefit or advantage gained from winning.

on track to win

Shows progress and direction towards a victory.

set to win

Implies a plan or preparation that leads to winning.

poised to win

Highlights readiness and anticipation of winning.

in line to win

Indicates being next or in a position to win.

destined to win

Suggests an inevitable or predetermined victory.

bound to win

Similar to 'destined', but with a slightly less forceful implication.

FAQs

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

Use "are to win" to express a condition or requirement for achieving a goal, such as: "If we "are to win" the championship, we must improve our teamwork."

What's a formal alternative to "are to win"?

A more formal alternative is "must win" or "are required to win". For instance, "They "are required to win" this game to advance to the next round."

Is it correct to say "is to win" instead of "are to win"?

No, "is to win" is grammatically incorrect when referring to a plural subject. Use "are to win" with plural subjects and "is to win" with singular subjects: "He "is to win" the race."

What does "are to win" imply about the likelihood of winning?

"Are to win" suggests a planned or expected outcome, but it doesn't guarantee victory. It often implies that certain conditions must be met for the victory to occur. It is similar to phrases like "expected to win" or "likely to win".