be eligible to

USAGE SUMMARY

"be eligible to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone or something's ability to qualify for or meet the necessary criteria to participate in something. Example: "To be eligible to vote in the upcoming election, you must be a registered citizen over the age of 18."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Who should be eligible to receive funds?

The New York Times

WHEN will you be eligible to vote?

The New York Times

He would also be eligible to be reassigned to Hartford.

The New York Times - Sports

Lee will be eligible to compete again on Friday.

The Guardian - Sport

He will be eligible to return next Tuesday against Denver.

The New York Times - Sports

In some cases, they may be eligible to shop around.

The New York Times

Radke will be eligible to be activated Aug. 19.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Burris would be eligible to serve through 2010.

The New York Times

Simon will be eligible to play again Feb. 21.

The New York Times - Sports

But to be eligible to play in the game, a player must be eligible to play high school basketball.

The New York Times - Sports

Over 16m Latinos will be eligible to vote in November.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When defining eligibility, be specific about the conditions that must be met. Clearly state who or what can "be eligible to" participate or receive benefits. For instance, instead of saying 'employees are eligible', specify 'full-time employees with at least one year of service are eligible'.

Common error

Avoid broad statements about eligibility. Instead of saying 'all students are eligible', define which students specifically qualify: 'all undergraduate students enrolled in at least 12 credit hours are eligible'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be eligible to" functions as a determiner of possibility or allowance within a given context. It indicates that a subject meets the necessary requirements or conditions to undertake a specific action or receive a particular benefit. Ludwig examples show its frequent use in describing conditions for participation or qualification.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be eligible to" is a versatile and commonly used expression for indicating qualification or meeting requirements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely accepted in written English. It is most frequently encountered in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts, highlighting its relevance across various domains. Remember to clearly define eligibility criteria when using this phrase to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "qualify for" and "be entitled to" can provide nuanced variations in meaning, allowing for more precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meet the criteria for

Focuses on fulfilling specific requirements, emphasizing the conditions that must be satisfied.

qualify for

Highlights the act of demonstrating the necessary attributes or conditions.

be entitled to

Implies a right or privilege based on certain conditions, suggesting a sense of deserving.

be permitted to

Focuses on the allowance or authorization granted, highlighting the permission aspect.

be allowed to

Similar to 'be permitted to', but can also imply a lack of prohibition rather than active permission.

be fit for

Emphasizes suitability and appropriateness, suggesting the subject meets the necessary standards.

be capable of

Highlights the inherent ability or capacity to meet the requirements.

have the right to

Stresses the legal or moral entitlement to something, emphasizing the claim or prerogative.

be in a position to

Focuses on the circumstances or situation enabling one to qualify.

be considered for

Indicates that someone or something is being evaluated for eligibility, but without guarantee.

FAQs

How to use "be eligible to" in a sentence?

Use "be eligible to" to indicate that someone or something meets the requirements for a specific opportunity, benefit, or status. For example, "To "be eligible to vote", you must be a registered citizen." or "Only products meeting our standards "be eligible to receive" our certification."

What can I say instead of "be eligible to"?

You can use alternatives like "qualify for", "be entitled to", or "meet the requirements for" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "be eligible to" and "be qualified to"?

"Be eligible to" generally means meeting the basic requirements or conditions for something, while "be qualified to" implies having the necessary skills, knowledge, or experience. You might "be eligible to apply" for a job, but not "be qualified to perform" the job duties.

Which is correct, "be eligible to participate" or "be eligible for participation"?

"Be eligible to participate" is more common and grammatically standard. "Be eligible for participation" is less frequently used and can sound awkward. It's better to use the infinitive form of the verb (to participate) after "be eligible".