be killed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be killed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing death, violence, or hypothetical situations where someone or something is to be killed. Example: "In the story, the main character fears that they might be killed if they do not escape the enemy's territory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Armenians can be killed".

The New York Times

"Words cannot be killed".

Independent

You'd be killed instantly".

The New Yorker

People will be killed.

Independent

#Freedomofthepress cannot be killed.

Independent

"We will be killed".

The New York Times

It's kill or be killed.

Independent

And then you'll be killed.

Independent

Don't let me be killed".

The New York Times

Could he ever be killed?

The New York Times

Gay people could be killed".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be killed" when you want to emphasize the passive role of the subject and the action of being killed, rather than the actor doing the killing. It's useful when the agent is unknown or unimportant.

Common error

Avoid using "be killed" when you need to highlight who performed the action. In such cases, using an active voice construction (e.g., "The enemy killed him") provides more clarity and directness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be killed" functions primarily as a passive verb construction. It indicates that the subject is the recipient of the action, rather than the performer. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples where this passive construction is used to describe potential or actual instances of someone dying by external forces.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Wiki

8%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be killed" is a frequently used and grammatically sound passive verb phrase. According to Ludwig, its primary function is to express the possibility or reality of someone or something dying by an external agent. The phrase maintains a neutral register, fitting into various communicative scenarios across formal and informal contexts, but is mostly found on News & Media. While useful for indicating outcomes, it's important to consider the active voice when emphasizing the agent performing the killing. Alternatives like ""be murdered"", ""be slain"", and ""lose one's life"" can offer nuanced variations depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be murdered

Emphasizes the unlawful and malicious nature of the killing.

be slain

Focuses on a more formal or literary tone, often implying a violent or heroic death.

be assassinated

Suggests a politically motivated or high-profile killing.

lose one's life

A common and neutral way to describe death, suitable for various contexts.

perish

Implies a sudden or violent death, often in a large group.

be eliminated

Suggests a strategic or ruthless removal, often in a competitive or dangerous environment.

suffer death

Emphasizes the experience of dying, often implying pain or suffering.

meet one's end

A euphemistic expression for dying, often used to soften the impact of the news.

be taken out

An informal and direct way to describe being killed, often used in action movies or crime stories.

be terminated

A more formal and impersonal way to describe being killed, often used in business or military contexts.

FAQs

How is "be killed" used in a sentence?

The phrase "be killed" is used in the passive voice to indicate that someone or something is the recipient of the action of killing. For example, "He might "be killed" if he goes there".

What phrases are similar to "be killed"?

Similar phrases include "be murdered", "be slain", "be assassinated" or "lose one's life". The choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

When should I use "be killed" versus an active voice construction?

Use "be killed" when the focus is on the recipient of the action and the actor is unknown or unimportant. Use the active voice (e.g., "someone killed him") when you want to emphasize who performed the action.

Is "be killed" formal or informal?

The phrase "be killed" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "be slain" or "perish" exist for certain situations.