be of

USAGE SUMMARY

"be of" is not correct and usable in written English.
Instead, you should use the phrase "consist of". For example, "The company consists of five people working together."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In English, its equivalent would be "of".

WikiHow

So, be of good cheer.

The New Yorker

They could be of help.

The Economist

It won't be, of course.

Independent

You will be of age then.

The New Yorker

"Most Urdu speakers would be of concern".

The New York Times

Their contents could be of all kinds.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Here a critic should be of assistance.

Independent

You had to be of age.

The New York Times

It can be of service to everyone.

The Economist

Be of good heart, particular old ladies!

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more direct and concise alternatives like "consist of" or "is made of" for clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "be of" excessively in formal writing. Opt for stronger verbs and more precise language. For example, instead of "it will be of great concern", use "it will cause great concern".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be of" functions primarily as a linking verb followed by a preposition, often connecting a subject with a characteristic, quality, or state. Ludwig AI suggests this phrase can often be replaced by more direct and concise alternatives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be of" appears frequently across varied sources like news articles, encyclopedias, and wikis. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically questionable, and suggests more direct alternatives. While prevalent, especially within News & Media contexts, writers should consider more concise options for enhanced clarity. Depending on the intended meaning, phrases such as "consist of", "be made of", or simpler adjectives like "helpful" could provide improved precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be of assistance

A more formal way to offer help or support.

consist of

Focuses on the composition or elements that make up something.

be composed of

Similar to "consist of", emphasizing the components of a whole.

be made of

Highlights the material or substance from which something is constructed.

be comprised of

Indicates the elements included within a larger entity.

be helpful

Replaces "be of help" with a more direct adjective.

be useful

Indicates the quality of being able to provide assistance or value.

be a part of

Expresses belonging or inclusion within a group or system.

be an element of

Highlights a specific component within a larger context.

be a feature of

Indicates that something is a characteristic or notable aspect.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "be of" when describing composition?

For describing composition, alternatives like "consist of", "be composed of", or "be made of" are often more direct and preferable.

How can I rephrase a sentence that uses "be of help"?

Instead of "be of help", consider using "be helpful", "be useful", or directly stating how someone or something can assist.

Is it grammatically correct to always use "be of"?

According to Ludwig AI, "be of" is not correct and you should avoid using "be of".

When is it appropriate to use "be of assistance"?

"Be of assistance" is appropriate when offering formal help, but in many cases, a simpler phrasing like "be helpful" is clearer.