be given shape

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be given shape" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of forming or defining something, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The ideas presented in the meeting will be given shape through collaborative discussion and planning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Again: How could such fundamental questions as "Should we have law at all?" be "given shape" by the positivist thesis that law's existence and content depends only on social facts?

SEP

Sadness must be given shape".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Hats are given shape using high-pressure water power.

The Guardian - Business

Now it has been given shape as never before.

The Guardian - Books

That is the way an artistic project is given shape, and thereby meaning.

The New Yorker

This world is both radically new — you've never seen anything like it — and instantly recognizable, as familiar aspects of consciousness are given shape and voice.

The New York Times

Notice the order: first the thing is given shape (dust for Adam; Frubber for Sophia), then it is animated with life.

The New Yorker

We were sitting in a room where American dreams have been given shape, particularly for newly arrived young West Indian and African men, many of them Muslims.

The New York Times - Sports

The modern state is partly founded on rational principles and is given shape by bureaucratic hierarchies and evolving canons of law.

The New York Times - Arts

The exhibition's general thesis is given shape and definition through a series of themes, the artworks laid out in groups in several interlocking rooms.

The New York Times

Like her husband, the saxophonist Tony Malaby, Ms. Sanchez, the pianist, is involved with free jazz that has structure, if that isn't too much of a contradiction; it has a loose, cantankerous energy, but it's given shape by some smart writing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be given shape" when you want to emphasize the process of something being intentionally formed or molded, often from an abstract idea or concept into something concrete.

Common error

Avoid using "be given shape" excessively in passive constructions, as it can make your writing sound weak or indirect. Consider rewriting the sentence in active voice to make it more impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be given shape" functions as a passive construction, where an entity receives a form or structure. Ludwig AI data shows it's used to describe how abstract ideas or concepts become more concrete. The auxiliary verb "be" indicates a state of being, and "given shape" describes the action performed upon the subject.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be given shape" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that describes the process of something being formed or defined. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase functions as a passive construction and is used to communicate the transformation of an abstract idea or concept into something more concrete. While it appears in both formal and informal writing, the phrase generally maintains a neutral tone. Alternatives include "take shape", "be formed", and "be defined".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take shape

Emphasizes the progressive evolution towards a defined shape or structure.

take form

Emphasizes the emergence of a recognizable shape or structure.

be formed

Focuses on the act of creation or construction, without necessarily implying a deliberate shaping process.

be molded

Suggests a more forceful or manipulative shaping process.

be defined

Emphasizes the clarification or outlining of something's characteristics.

be structured

Implies that something is being organized according to a plan.

be fashioned

Suggests a more artistic or skilled shaping process.

be created

Focuses on the initial act of bringing something into existence.

be developed

Implies a gradual process of growth and refinement.

be constructed

Highlights the building or assembly of something from different parts.

FAQs

How can I use "be given shape" in a sentence?

You can use "be given shape" to describe how something abstract, like an idea or a plan, is developed into something concrete. For example: "The initial concept will "be given shape" during the workshop."

What's a good alternative to "be given shape"?

Alternatives include "take shape", "be formed", or "be defined", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "be given shape" formal or informal?

"Be given shape" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

What does it mean for something to "be given shape"?

When something "be given shape", it means that it's being formed or molded into a particular structure or form. This often implies a process of development and refinement.