are to work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are to work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a requirement or obligation. For example, "All employees are to work on Saturday this week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They are to work on the station for six months.

The New York Times - Science

If they are to work, they and the ministers who appoint them need help.

The Economist

Sanctions, like any other weapon, need to be properly directed if they are to work.

The Economist

Post Apple my hopes are to work within the realm of youth counseling.

Independent

If the disclaimers are to work, Ms. Glynn said, spouses need to trust each other.

The New York Times

But if we are to work for a more human capitalism, we need a Visible Hand.

The New York Times

"Our priorities are to work with the regulated community," she said.

The New York Times

If flexible courts are to work, there should be proper consultation before the pilots are run.

The Guardian - Opinion

Confidence is vital if these new online business models are to work in the long term.

The Guardian

If older people are to work longer, they need to retrain and to update their skills and expertise for longer.

The Economist

Europeans are less likely than we are to work when young or old, but is that entirely a bad thing?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are to work" to clearly express obligations, requirements, or scheduled activities. Ensure the context supports the formal tone.

Common error

Avoid using "are to work" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for more natural alternatives like "need to work" or "have to work" to maintain an appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are to work" functions as a modal construction, indicating obligation, arrangement, or future intention. It sets out what is expected or planned. Ludwig provides examples showing how it is used across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are to work" is a grammatically correct and commonly used construction to express obligation, schedule, or intention, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It appears frequently in News & Media and Science contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for formal writing. Remember to consider alternatives like "must work" or "need to work" for varying degrees of formality. This phrase is useful for specifying required actions or planned tasks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are required to work

Formally states a mandatory action or duty.

have to work

Implies an obligation, often due to external circumstances.

must work

Expresses a stronger sense of obligation or necessity.

need to work

Highlights a requirement or necessity for functionality or success.

are expected to work

Expresses an anticipation or expectation of performing work.

should work

Indicates a recommendation or expectation, less forceful than "are to work".

are intended to work

Focuses on the planned or designed functionality of something.

aim to work

Highlights the intention or goal of performing work.

will work

Expresses future action. Using "will" can be considered as a choice people would make instead of "are to".

plan to work

Emphasizes the planning or preparation for work.

FAQs

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

Use "are to work" to express obligations or scheduled activities. For example, "All employees "are to work" overtime this weekend" indicates a mandatory requirement.

What are some alternatives to "are to work"?

Depending on the context, consider using alternatives like "must work", "need to work", or "have to work" to convey similar meanings with varying degrees of formality.

When is it appropriate to use "are to work"?

"Are to work" is appropriate in formal settings, official announcements, or when clearly stating requirements or schedules. It is less suitable for casual conversation.

Is "are to working" grammatically correct instead of "are to work"?

No, "are to working" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "are to work", where "to" is followed by the base form of the verb.