be visited by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be visited by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something is receiving a visit from another person or entity, often in a more formal or literary context. Example: "The ancient ruins are said to be visited by many tourists each year, drawn by their historical significance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Of the dozen makers, several can be visited by appointment.

The New York Times - Travel

And most can be visited by the public.

The New York Times

"It's awesome to be visited by God's representative on earth.

The Guardian

The Boley Historical Museum can be visited by appointment; call [phone].

The New York Times - Travel

Any household that did not complete its form will still be visited by a census taker.

The New York Times

One-third will be visited by an impostor and one-third will not have visits.

The New York Times

The ultimate hipster destination, about to be visited by the New Horizons probe.

The Guardian - Opinion

The prospective universities, which must be visited by a site committee, must also apply for admission.

The New York Times - Sports

"Room 13 is supposed to be visited by the spirit of a lonely piper.

The Guardian - Music

Seventy-two yeafterfter its discovery, Pluto has yet to be visited by a spacecraft.

The New York Times

"For that oversight you'll be cursed to be visited by three more ghosts this evening".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events where someone will come to a specific place, "be visited by" provides a formal tone.

Common error

Avoid using "be visited by" when the active voice is clearer and more direct. Instead of "The town will be visited by the president", consider "The president will visit the town" for a more impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be visited by" functions primarily as a passive construction, indicating that the subject is the recipient of an action. It's used to shift the focus from the actor to the entity experiencing the visit, as seen in Ludwig's examples such as "The shop can be visited by appointment" or "Ceres is the first dwarf planet to be visited by a spacecraft."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Travel

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be visited by" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction. According to Ludwig, it is primarily used to emphasize the subject receiving the visit rather than the visitor. This construction appears frequently in news media, scientific articles, and travel guides. While "be visited by" is generally appropriate for formal and neutral contexts, active voice alternatives may sometimes provide clearer and more direct communication. Understanding its function and purpose allows for more effective and nuanced writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

receive a visit from

Uses a more direct verb ("receive") instead of the passive construction "be visited".

get a visit from

More informal version of "receive a visit from".

have someone visit

Active voice construction, placing emphasis on the visitor.

be toured by

Implies a guided exploration, suggesting a more structured visit.

be called upon by

Suggests a formal visit, often for a specific purpose or request.

be approached by

Suggests an interaction or contact, not necessarily a full "visit".

be dropped in on by

Implies a casual, unplanned visit.

be frequented by

Indicates that a place is often visited by a certain group or type of person.

be attended by

Suggests a gathering or event where someone is present, not necessarily a personal visit.

be graced by the presence of

A more formal and often exaggerated way of saying someone visited.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "be visited by" to sound more active?

You can use alternatives like "receive a visit from" or directly state who is visiting, such as "[Person/group] will visit [location]". For example, instead of "The city will be visited by the delegation", you could say "The delegation will visit the city".

Is it always better to use the active voice instead of "be visited by"?

Not necessarily. The passive voice with "be visited by" is useful when you want to emphasize the subject being visited rather than the visitor. For example, "The patient needs to be visited by a doctor" focuses on the patient's need for a doctor's attention.

What's the difference between "be visited by" and "go to visit"?

"Be visited by" indicates that someone or something is receiving a visit. In contrast, "go to visit" describes the action of someone traveling to see someone or something else. For example, "The park is frequently visited by tourists" versus "Tourists go to visit the park every day".

When is it appropriate to use "be visited by" in formal writing?

"Be visited by" is suitable in formal writing when you want to maintain a certain level of objectivity or when the focus is on the recipient of the visit. It is common in news reports, academic papers, and official announcements where the passive voice is often preferred.