as to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as to be" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not commonly used and may lead to confusion in communication. Example: "He was so dedicated to his work as to be the last one to leave the office every night."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So useless as to be almost pointless.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It's so generic as to be meaningless.

The Guardian

"So precise as to be almost poetic".

The New York Times

Our force is so small as to be operationally insignificant.

The Guardian

And they are so obvious as to be beyond debate.

The New York Times - Books

I found them so formidable as to be frightening.

The New Yorker

Both offer guidelines so vague as to be laughable.

The New York Times - Arts

Some recipes are so simple as to be laughable.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was so vague as to be meaningless.

The New York Times

Truman Capote was "so worldly as to be naïve".

The New York Times - Books

So vast as to be unknowable, beyond comprehension.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "as to be" in formal writing. Instead, opt for clearer and more grammatically accepted alternatives like "in order to be" or "so that it can be".

Common error

Don't confuse "as to be" with phrases like "as to" or "as it is". "As to" is used to introduce a topic, while "as it is" describes a current state. Using "as to be" can create grammatically incorrect and confusing sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as to be" functions as a purpose connector, attempting to link an action or state with an intended outcome. However, its grammatical structure is often considered incorrect, as highlighted by Ludwig AI, and its intended purpose is better served by more standard constructions like "in order to be".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "as to be" exists in various sources, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect and conveys its intended purpose—to express intention—poorly. Ludwig AI underscores this by flagging the phrase as incorrect, recommending more standard alternatives such as "in order to be". Though found in news and media, better and less ambiguous constructions are readily available. Therefore, to maintain clarity and grammatical correctness, it's best to avoid "as to be" in both formal and informal writing and opt for more conventional expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in order to be

This alternative clearly indicates purpose and intent.

so that it can be

This alternative provides a clearer causal connection.

to be able to

This alternative emphasizes capability or possibility.

so it is

This alternative offers a simpler, more direct construction.

such that it is

This alternative expresses a condition or result.

in a way that it is

This alternative is more descriptive and emphasizes the manner of something.

with the aim of being

This alternative explicitly states the goal or intention.

for the purpose of being

This alternative specifies a formal purpose.

intending to be

This alternative focuses on the intention behind an action.

with intentions for being

This alternative indicates a deliberate plan or set of goals.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "as to be"?

While "as to be" appears in some contexts, it's generally better to use clearer alternatives like "in order to be" or "so that it can be" for better clarity.

What are some common mistakes when using "as to be"?

A common mistake is using "as to be" when you really mean "as to" (regarding a topic) or "as it is" (in its current state). Using it incorrectly can lead to grammatically unsound sentences.

How can I rewrite a sentence that includes "as to be" for better clarity?

Replace "as to be" with more precise phrases like "in order to" or "so that", depending on the intended meaning.

Is "as to be" considered formal or informal?

Due to its grammatical ambiguity and the availability of clearer alternatives, "as to be" is not recommended for formal writing. Opt for more established phrases to maintain a professional tone.