be right

USAGE SUMMARY

"be right" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to offer an assurance that something will happen. For example, "Don't worry, I'll be right back."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You'd be right.

BBC

It could be right.

The Economist

They could be right.

The New York Times

I'll be right here.

The New Yorker

Could Monk be right?

Independent

That can't be right.

The New York Times

Could be right behind".

The New Yorker

We better be right".

The New Yorker

Gafni may be right.

The New Yorker

Mancini could be right.

The New York Times - Sports

Aldag may be right.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be right" to express agreement or confirm the accuracy of something. For example, you can say "You'll be right" when someone anticipates a future event.

Common error

While "be right" is acceptable in many situations, consider using more formal alternatives such as "be correct" or "be accurate" in professional or academic writing to maintain a higher degree of formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be right" functions as a copular verb followed by an adjective, expressing a state of correctness or accuracy. According to Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically correct phrase. Examples from Ludwig show its use in affirming predictions or agreements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be right" is a versatile phrase used to express agreement, accuracy, or expected correctness. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and frequently encountered in diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While suitable for many situations, remember to consider more formal alternatives like "be correct" in professional writing. The phrase's frequent usage and diverse applications make it a valuable component of everyday communication. When used correctly, this phrase, whether in speech or writing, can enhance clarity and understanding. The examples from Ludwig, demonstrate how adaptable the phrase is.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be correct

Replaces "right" with its direct synonym "correct", implying accuracy or truth.

be true

Highlights the authenticity or factual nature of a statement, similar to it being right.

be accurate

Substitutes "right" with "accurate", emphasizing factual correctness and precision.

be on the mark

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate correctness or hitting the intended target.

be spot on

Another idiomatic expression meaning to be exactly right or precise.

be valid

Emphasizes that something is sound, just, or well-founded, similar to being right.

prove to be right

Adds an element of eventual confirmation or validation to the state of being right.

turn out to be right

Similar to "prove to be right", but suggests a more surprising or unexpected confirmation.

be justified

Implies having a good reason or basis for a claim or action, making it right in a moral or logical sense.

be vindicated

Suggests that someone's position or claim has been proven right after a period of doubt or opposition.

FAQs

How can I use "be right" in a sentence?

You can use "be right" in a sentence to indicate that someone is correct or that something is accurate. For instance, you might say, "If you follow these instructions, you'll be right on track."

What are some alternatives to saying "be right"?

Alternatives to "be right" include "be correct", "be accurate", or "be on the mark", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "be right" or "is right"?

"Be right" is typically used in the imperative or future tense, while "is right" is used in the present tense. For example, "You will be right" vs. "He is right".

What's the difference between "be right" and "being right"?

"Be right" is a verb phrase used to indicate a state of correctness. "Being right" is a gerund phrase, often used as a subject or object in a sentence. For example, "To be right is important," versus "Being right all the time is impossible."