be consigned to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be consigned to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone or something is assigned to a particular fate or situation, often one that is undesirable or negative. Example: "After the scandal, he felt he would be consigned to obscurity for the rest of his life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Or be consigned to the care system?

Independent

"It should be consigned to history".

The New York Times

Will women be consigned to abuse and illiteracy?

The New York Times

Soon, all this may be consigned to history.

The Guardian - Tech

Slave labour should be consigned to the history books.

The Guardian

Let these outdated tactics be consigned to history.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's time for stuckism to be consigned to history.

The Guardian - Arts

Suez, clearly, cannot yet be consigned to history.

The Guardian - Opinion

Many restrictions and regulations will be consigned to the dustbin.

The Guardian

This part of her life would be consigned to silence.

The Guardian - Books

Light bulbs could then be consigned to the dustbin for ever.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be consigned to" when you want to emphasize that something or someone is being placed in a situation, often undesirable, from which escape is difficult. For example, "outdated business models may be consigned to history".

Common error

Avoid using "be consigned to" when an active construction would be more direct and impactful. Overusing the passive voice can make your writing sound weak. For instance, instead of "the documents were consigned to the shredder", consider "the manager shredded the documents".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be consigned to" functions primarily as a passive construction used to indicate that someone or something is assigned to a specific, often negative, fate or condition. Ludwig examples show it used to describe the fate of outdated tactics, historical events, or even individuals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be consigned to" is a versatile phrase, predominantly used to denote the assignment of something or someone to a particular fate or condition, frequently with negative implications. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and finds its place in diverse contexts, predominantly within news and media, and formal business settings. When employing this expression, remember that it leans toward formal communication and passive voice, offering an opportunity to convey a sense of inevitability or finality. Alternative phrases like "be relegated to" or "be doomed to" can offer similar meanings with subtle variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be relegated to

Indicates a demotion or assignment to a less important position or state, differing from "be consigned to" by emphasizing the hierarchical aspect.

be reduced to

Indicates a decline to a lower state or condition, similar to "be consigned to" when the latter implies a negative fate.

be doomed to

Implies a negative and unavoidable fate, similar to "be consigned to" but carries a stronger sense of inevitability.

be forced into

Highlights the lack of choice in entering a particular state or situation, akin to "be consigned to" in contexts where there's no agency.

be destined for

Suggests a predetermined future, differing from "be consigned to" by not necessarily implying a negative outcome.

be given over to

Implies dedication or surrender to a particular purpose or condition, similar to "be consigned to" but with a stronger sense of intentionality.

be subjected to

Indicates being forced to experience something, often unpleasant, similar to "be consigned to" in negative contexts but with an emphasis on external imposition.

be bound for

Suggests a future course or destination, similar to "be consigned to" but without the necessarily negative connotation.

be assigned to

Implies a formal allocation or placement, differing from "be consigned to" by lacking the sense of a negative or unwanted fate.

be handed over to

Emphasizes the act of transferring responsibility or control, differing from "be consigned to" which focuses on the resulting state.

FAQs

How can I use "be consigned to" in a sentence?

You can use "be consigned to" to indicate that something or someone is assigned to an undesirable fate or condition. For example, "If the project fails, all our efforts will "be consigned to" oblivion".

What's the difference between "be consigned to" and "be relegated to"?

"Be consigned to" generally implies being assigned to a particular (often negative) fate or situation, whereas "be relegated to" specifically suggests being demoted or moved to a lower rank or position.

What are some alternatives to "be consigned to" that I can use in my writing?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "be doomed to", "be subjected to", or "be destined for".

Is it appropriate to use "be consigned to" in formal writing?

Yes, "be consigned to" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly when discussing the fate or consequences of actions or events. However, consider the tone and ensure it aligns with the overall message.