be designed to

USAGE SUMMARY

"be designed to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to say something was created with a specific purpose in mind. Example sentence: This new product has been designed to be used in a variety of different ways.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Any piece can be designed to order.

The New York Times - Travel

It will be designed to complement BBC2.

The Guardian

Some will be designed to devour things, like pollution.

The New Yorker

ColoradoCare would be designed to replace private health insurance.

The Guardian

A fuel cell can be designed to operate reversibly.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Protocols must also be designed to handle network errors.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It can be designed to carry, pull, or push loads.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It would be designed to appeal to British householders' lifestyle aspirations.

The Guardian

-How might a student ID card be designed to help students and parents?

The New York Times

Vehicles should be designed to reduce blind spots and windshield glare.

The New York Times

Electoral district boundaries will be designed to grease the wheels of another term for incumbents.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be designed to", ensure clarity about the intended function or purpose. Specify the goal the design aims to achieve.

Common error

Avoid vague statements when describing what something is "designed to" do. Be specific about the intended outcome or function to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be designed to" functions as a passive construction indicating the intended purpose or function of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English, highlighting that it specifies a creation with a specific objective.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be designed to" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to convey the intended purpose or function of a design. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, noting its prevalence across various writing styles. With a wide distribution across News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, it's crucial to ensure clarity and specificity when describing design goals. By avoiding vague statements and focusing on intended outcomes, writers can effectively leverage this phrase. Alternatives such as "be intended for" or "be engineered for" offer nuanced options for expressing design purpose. With careful application, "be designed to" becomes a valuable asset in explaining the objectives behind diverse creations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be intended for

Changes focus to the intention behind the design, rather than the design process itself.

be created for

Emphasizes the act of creation with a specific purpose.

be purposed to

Highlights the designated purpose or function.

be engineered for

Suggests a more technical or precise design process.

be tailored for

Implies a customized or specifically adapted design.

be made to

A more direct way of expressing the purpose of creation.

serve the purpose of

Shifts the focus to the function that the design fulfills.

be structured to

Highlights the organization and arrangement of elements to achieve a goal.

be geared towards

Indicates that the design is aimed at a particular target or outcome.

be optimized for

Suggests that the design has been refined for maximum effectiveness.

FAQs

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

Use "be designed to" to describe the intended function or purpose of a system, product, or process. For example, "This software is designed to streamline workflow efficiency."

What are some alternatives to "be designed to"?

You can use alternatives like "be intended for", "be created for", or "be engineered for" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "be designed to" or "is design to"?

"Be designed to" is the correct phrasing, using the passive voice to indicate that something was created for a specific purpose. "Is design to" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "be designed to" and "aim to"?

"Be designed to" indicates the intended function or purpose inherent in the design. "Aim to" suggests the intention or goal of an action or plan.