be marked with a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be marked with a" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that has a specific characteristic or feature indicated by a mark or label. Example: "The documents should be marked with a red stamp to indicate their confidentiality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It must be marked with a slip 809.

Yale University

The site will now be marked with a plaque.

Independent

reading following the first will be marked with a flag value = 1.

Columbia University

The 400th anniversary will be marked with a televised "parade of sails" around the island.

The Guardian - Travel

You won't receive any credit hours and the course will be marked with a "V" on your transcript.

Cornell University

The end of the summer is an occasion that surely deserves to be marked with a celebratory drink.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The occasion will be marked with a fiesta in Puebla, the chief spot in Mexico that celebrates the holiday.

The New York Times - Travel

Recycled water can be marked with a blue dye to ensure that it is not used for potable purposes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A May 21 letter writer's suggestion that all bullets be marked with a computer microchip will likely work only if there are significant advances in microchip technology.

The New York Times

All church bells in the Netherlands will ring at 1355 GMT, with the first plane's arrival to be marked with a trumpet salute and a minute's silence.

The Guardian

Gordon Brown said spirits would have to be marked with a paper strip over the top off the bottle cap, to show they had paid tax.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be marked with a", ensure the mark or symbol is clearly defined and relevant to the context. For instance, "The trail will be marked with a blue flag" provides a specific visual cue.

Common error

Avoid using "be marked with a" without specifying the nature of the mark. Instead of "The item will be marked with a sign", provide details such as "The item will be marked with a barcode sticker."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be marked with a" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject receives a mark, label, or sign. Ludwig examples show its use across diverse contexts, from locations "be marked with a sign" to documents "be marked with a red stamp".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be marked with a" is a grammatically correct and very common passive verb construction used to indicate that something will receive a mark or sign. As shown by Ludwig's AI, this phrase is versatile, appearing in news, academic, scientific, and general contexts. While the phrase is generally considered correct, clarity is key: always specify the nature of the mark. Alternatives include "be labeled with a" or "be designated with a", depending on the context. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal writing, as long as descriptive details are provided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be labeled with a

Similar to marking, but specifically refers to attaching a label.

be tagged with a

Implies the use of a tag for identification or categorization.

be identified by a

Focuses on recognition through a distinguishing feature rather than a literal mark.

be indicated by a

Highlights the use of a sign or signal to point something out.

be designated with a

Implies a formal assignment or naming, differing from a physical marking.

be characterized by a

Highlights a defining characteristic, not necessarily a visual mark.

be signified by a

Focuses on symbolic representation rather than a physical mark.

be distinguished by a

Emphasizes the separation or differentiation from others through a specific trait.

bear the sign of a

Implies carrying or showing evidence of something.

feature a

Focuses on a prominent aspect or attribute.

FAQs

How can I use "be marked with a" in a sentence?

The phrase "be marked with a" is used to indicate that something will have a specific sign, symbol, or attribute. For example, "The path will be marked with a series of cairns" or "The documents should be marked with a confidentiality label".

What's a good alternative to "be marked with a"?

Alternatives include "be labeled with a", "be designated with a", or "be identified by a", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "be marked with a" or "be marked by a"?

While both are grammatically correct, "be marked with a" typically refers to a physical marking or label. "Be marked by a" often indicates a characteristic or quality. For instance, "The event will be marked with a celebration" versus "The map will be marked with a cross to indicate the spot".

Can "be marked with a" refer to non-physical attributes?

While typically referring to physical marks, "be marked with a" can sometimes describe a distinct attribute. However, using phrases like "be characterized by a" or "be distinguished by a" is often more appropriate for non-physical traits.