be they

USAGE SUMMARY

'be they' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used as a formal way of saying "no matter who they may be", for example: "The rules must be followed, be they rich or poor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Could be they have reconsidered.

The New York Times

Leave him be, they said.

The New York Times - Sports

May be they never will.

The Economist

"Must be they went to the station".

The New Yorker

Whatever they might be, they are manqué.

Independent

It may be they can't afford to.

The New York Times

They would be; they already have.

The New Yorker

"Ready as can be!" they shout back.

The New York Times

Could be they pull the bands off.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Supported by the president-to-be, they got their way.

The Economist

"They will be… they will be!" she says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be they" in formal writing when you want to introduce a series of possibilities or conditions without giving preference to any one. It adds a touch of formality and inclusivity.

Common error

Avoid using "be they" in casual or informal settings, as it may sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "whether they are" or "no matter if they are" in everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be they" functions as a formal conditional conjunction, introducing a series of possibilities or conditions, as confirmed by Ludwig. It sets up alternative scenarios without preference.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be they" is a grammatically correct and frequently used construction, particularly in formal writing and speech. According to Ludwig, it functions as a conditional conjunction, introducing a range of possibilities with a neutral tone. While "be they" is more common in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business contexts, it should be used cautiously in informal settings. Alternatives such as "whether they are" or "no matter if they are" may be more appropriate for casual conversation. When aiming for inclusivity and objectivity, "be they" remains a valuable linguistic tool.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

whether they are

Replaces "be they" with a more common and straightforward expression of condition.

regardless of whether they are

Adds emphasis on the lack of importance of the condition.

irrespective of whether they are

Similar to "regardless of whether they are", but slightly more formal.

no matter if they are

More informal alternative, suitable for less formal contexts.

whether or not they are

Explicitly includes both possibilities of the condition.

even if they are

Emphasizes that the statement holds true under the given condition.

regardless of who they are

Focuses on the identity or type of the subject, rather than a specific attribute.

whoever they may be

Emphasizes the uncertainty or generality of the subject's identity.

whatever they might be

Highlights the potential variety or range of attributes.

whomever they might be

A more grammatically formal version of 'whoever they may be', focusing on the object of the verb.

FAQs

How to use "be they" in a sentence?

The phrase "be they" introduces different possibilities or conditions without prioritizing any of them. For instance, "The rules apply to everyone, "be they rich" or poor."

What can I say instead of "be they"?

You can use alternatives like "whether they are", "regardless of whether they are", or "no matter if they are" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "be they" or "are they"?

"Be they" is a more formal and less common construction used to introduce alternatives or conditions. "Are they" is a simple interrogative or declarative statement. The choice depends on the intended meaning and formality of the context.

What's the difference between "be they" and "whether they are"?

"Be they" is a more concise and formal way of saying "whether they are". The former is typically used in writing and formal speech, while the latter is more common in everyday language.