be eluded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be eluded" is not correct in standard English usage.
The correct form would typically be "to be eluded" or "is eluded." Example: "He seemed to be eluded by the truth, despite the evidence presented."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

He thought he should do something other than drive, but what that might be eluded him.

The New Yorker

But both can be eluded for eight American cents, the cost of a canoe ride.The people who live round here prefer their borders porous; it makes it easier to flee the civil wars that curse this neck of West Africa.

The Economist

Criminal prosecutions against fans will surely be considered by local authorities, but as a prosecutor for more than 30 years, I know that any such proceedings will be slow and are likely to be eluded altogether by many deserving to share the responsibility.

The New York Times

And let's not forget how long they lived among us and how little they absorbed -- how they went to their deaths believing that American laws were only something to be eluded, American citizens only targets to be killed and American society only something to be destroyed.

The New York Times

Hereby error-prone and time-consuming planning steps, like model surgery and transfer of the face bow, can be eluded.

Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery

It is contended that, the theory and the architectural practice are characterised by everlasting series of determinisms, which make some design variables to be eluded in the design process.

Energy and Buildings

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Sadly, the opportunities presented by Syria's meltdown seem to be eluding Israeli leaders.

The New York Times

"Even now, justice seems to be eluding these families," Travis says of the relatives of the innocent people killed that day by the Real IRA.

Independent

He made the comeback for par to stay one under, but his touch on the greens, so impressive earlier, seems to be eluding him.

The New York Times

In that scenario, the state just might achieve the grand bargain that seems to be eluding the rest of the country.

The Economist

But his restaurant isn't so dazzling as to guarantee the kind of success that's eluded him over the last few years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "be eluded" can be found in some contexts, it is advisable to use the correct form, "to be eluded," or consider alternative expressions like "to be evaded" or "to be avoided" for clarity and grammatical accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "be eluded" as a standalone passive construction. Instead, ensure it follows a proper infinitive structure like "to be eluded" or is part of a continuous tense, such as "is being eluded," when the context demands a progressive action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be eluded" functions as part of a passive construction, where something is acted upon, specifically in the sense of being evaded or not understood. As Ludwig AI highlights, this form is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct form is typically to be eluded or is eluded.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

67%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be eluded" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. While some examples can be found, the grammatically correct forms are "to be eluded" or "is eluded". The intended meaning is to convey that something is being evaded, avoided, or is difficult to understand. Based on the provided examples, this expression is more common in news and scientific contexts, although the presence of grammatical errors impacts overall quality and expert rating. Ludwig AI advises using the correct forms or considering alternatives like "to be evaded" or "to be avoided" for better clarity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be evaded

Replaces "eluded" with "evaded", focusing on avoidance but maintaining a similar passive voice structure.

to be avoided

Suggests circumventing something, emphasizing the action of staying away.

to be escaped

Focuses on the act of breaking free from something, which can be a physical or abstract concept.

to remain elusive

Shifts the focus to the quality of being hard to grasp or find.

to prove evasive

Highlights the act of avoiding something or someone, often with cunning.

to defy comprehension

Emphasizes the inability to understand something, highlighting its complexity.

to be beyond understanding

Indicates that something is impossible to grasp or comprehend fully.

to escape detection

Focuses specifically on avoiding being noticed or discovered.

to slip away

Captures the sense of something subtly disappearing or becoming unattainable.

to be missed

Indicates a failure to perceive or understand something, emphasizing the oversight.

FAQs

Is "be eluded" grammatically correct?

No, "be eluded" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct form is typically "to be eluded" or "is eluded". See Ludwig AI's notes above.

What does "to be eluded" mean?

The phrase "to be eluded" means to be evaded or escaped from, often through cunning or skill. It can also mean to be difficult to understand.

What are some alternatives to using "be eluded"?

Alternatives include phrases like "to be evaded", "to be avoided", or "to escape detection", depending on the intended meaning.

How can I use "to be eluded" correctly in a sentence?

Ensure the phrase is used in a grammatically correct structure. For example, "The answer seemed to be eluded by everyone" or "The suspect managed to evade capture, not to be eluded again".