be traces of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be traces of" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form would typically be "there are traces of" or "there may be traces of." Example: "In the archaeological dig, there may be traces of ancient civilization buried beneath the surface."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

There may be traces of paint on one palm.

The New Yorker

He declared the remains to be traces of a "primitive member of our race".

The New Yorker

There may be traces of this in the striking conformity that visitors to Japan notice today.

The Economist

It is not ridiculous to think there may be traces of Leonardo's greatest painting hidden in that room in Florence.

The Guardian - Arts

And yet, there do seem to be traces of commonality or kinship, especially in how several works express a sense of cleavage or division.

The Washington Post

In the nineteen-nineties, astrogeologists examining the Mars meteorites found what seemed to be traces of primitive bacterial forms of life.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Of the 12 150 participants, 99% could be traced; of which 4.5% (N=584) had deceased.

BMJ Open

There are traces of it everywhere.

The New York Times - Books

"There are traces of human occupation," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

Everywhere in Tyneside are traces of its industrial past.

The Guardian - Business

There are traces of Bronze Age settlement in the valley.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the grammatically correct form "there are traces of" or "there may be traces of" when indicating the presence of evidence or remnants. For example: There are traces of paint on the suspect's clothing.

Common error

Do not omit "there" or "there may" when indicating the presence of evidence. Saying "be traces of" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. Instead, ensure the sentence includes the necessary introductory phrase for grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be traces of" is grammatically incorrect. It attempts to denote the existence of evidence or remnants but lacks the necessary grammatical structure. As Ludwig AI explains, the correct form involves using "there are traces of" or "there may be traces of".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be traces of" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing and speech. As Ludwig AI highlights, the proper construction is "there are traces of" or "there may be traces of". While it appears in various contexts, its incorrectness diminishes its suitability for professional or academic use. When you want to indicate evidence, make sure to use correct grammar. Prefer alternatives such as "there are traces of" or "evidence suggests" for clearer and more accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there are traces of

This is the grammatically correct way to express the existence of evidence or remnants.

there may be traces of

Adds a degree of uncertainty about the presence of evidence.

traces can be found of

Focuses on the possibility of discovering evidence through investigation.

show traces of

Implies that something exhibits signs or evidence of a particular quality or influence.

evidence suggests

Shifts the focus to what the available data indicates.

indications of

Highlights clues or signs pointing towards something.

remnants of

Focuses on the remaining parts of something that no longer exists in its entirety.

vestiges of

Refers to a small amount or remaining part of something.

signs of

Emphasizes visible indicators of something's presence or activity.

hints of

Suggests subtle or indirect indications.

FAQs

What's the correct way to use the phrase to indicate the presence of evidence?

The correct way to indicate the presence of evidence is to use the phrase "there are traces of" or "there may be traces of". For instance, "There are traces of gunpowder on his hands" is correct.

Is "be traces of" grammatically correct?

No, "be traces of" is not grammatically correct. The correct form is "there are traces of". The inclusion of "there are" establishes a proper grammatical structure.

What can I say instead of "be traces of"?

You should use "there are traces of", "there may be traces of", or alternatives like "evidence suggests" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "be traces of" and "there are traces of"?

"Be traces of" is grammatically incorrect, while "there are traces of" is the correct idiomatic expression to indicate the presence of some evidence or remnant.