befits

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "befits" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is suitable or appropriate for a particular person or situation. Example: "The elegant dress she wore truly befits her sophisticated style."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As befits my maverick old friend Nigel Lawson, his most memorable budget was not the one that preceded the 1987 election, which the Tories won in a canter, but his 1988 budget, in which he changed not just the British but the western world's attitude to acceptable levels of taxation by lowering the top rate from 60% to 40%.

The Guardian - Business

It no more befits Howe, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and, at 36, taking the club to new heights.

The Guardian - Sport

It suggested he was an unremarkable young man – interested in flying and gadgets, as befits a pilot, as well as electronic music, discos and tenpin bowling.

The Guardian

As befits a city of artists, Valparaíso has no shortage of drinking opportunities.

The Guardian - Travel

As befits his spirit of adventure though, Buttler rode his luck, surviving a catchable chance to Ramdin off Rampaul when 37, and, earlier, when 22, having a caught-behind decision against him overturned on review.

The Guardian - Sport

How they rate 1 Middlesbrough 2 Derby 3 Watford 4 Norwich 5 Bournemouth 6 Ipswich 7 Brentford As befits arguably the world's most exciting league right now there really are no easy Championship games but, on paper, Bournemouth and Brentford appear to have slightly kinder run‑ins than the rest.

The Guardian - Sport

But as befits Madge, who has risen phoenix-like more times than anyone can remember, she's a proper trooper and completes the song, though a little more muted than you might have otherwise expected.

The Guardian - Music

As befits what has become Jamaica's natural party of government, competition is intense.

The Economist

But in general, as befits a covert operative, his tone is quizzical and low-key, rather than bombastic and judgmental.For anyone schooled in blackboard economics, "The Undercover Economist" succeeds in taking the chalkdust out of the subject.

The Economist

Righting them will require wholesale reform both of financial regulation and of the entire global monetary system.As befits a man who won the Nobel prize for his work on asymmetric information, Mr Stiglitz dwells on the market imperfections and misaligned incentives that distorted decisions made by everyone from mortgage originators to credit-rating agencies.

The Economist

And, as befits a prospective "growth" stock, it has unveiled a raft of dazzling (on paper, at least) Internet initiatives.Frankfurt already leads Europe's other exchanges in several areas of electronic trading, such as remote access.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "befits", ensure the subject and object of the verb have a clear, logical connection. For example, "A grand celebration befits a significant achievement."

Common error

Avoid using "befits" in very informal or casual contexts where it might sound stilted or pretentious. Simpler words like "suits" or "fits" might be more appropriate in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The verb "befits" functions as a transitive verb, indicating that something is suitable or appropriate for a particular subject. It expresses a relationship of fittingness or suitability. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "befits" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed term, primarily in news, formal, and business settings. As Ludwig AI points out, it serves to express that something is suitable or appropriate, often with a nuance of tradition or inherent rightness. While versatile, it's best reserved for contexts where a degree of formality is desired, steering clear of overly casual situations. Related terms include "is appropriate for" and "suits".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is appropriate for

Replaces the verb "befits" with a more direct and common phrase using the adjective "appropriate".

is suitable for

Uses the adjective "suitable" instead of "befits", offering a slightly more general tone.

is fitting for

Employs the adjective "fitting", which is very close in meaning to "befits" but might sound slightly less formal.

is well-suited to

Highlights the excellent match between something and its intended purpose or context.

is befitting of

Rearranges the sentence structure while maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

is in accordance with

This alternative presents a more formal and structured way of expressing suitability.

is in keeping with

Suggests that something is consistent with expectations or standards.

is congruent with

Offers a more technical or academic tone, suggesting alignment or agreement.

is tailored to

Emphasizes that something has been specifically designed or adjusted for a particular purpose or person.

is worthy of

Implies that something deserves a particular action or treatment, shifting the focus slightly.

FAQs

How can I use the word "befits" in a sentence?

The word "befits" is used to indicate that something is suitable or appropriate for a particular person, purpose, or situation. For example, "A formal ceremony "befits" such an important occasion."

What are some alternatives to the word "befits"?

You can use alternatives like "suits", "is appropriate for", or "is fitting for" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "befits" and "suits"?

"Befits" often implies a sense of decorum, tradition, or inherent rightness, while "suits" is a more general term for being appropriate or suitable. "A grand celebration "befits" a significant achievement" suggests the celebration is deserved; "A simple gathering "suits" their modest lifestyle" means it aligns with their way of life.

Is it correct to say "befits to"?

No, the correct usage is simply "befits". The word "befits" does not require the preposition "to". For example, "The award "befits" her hard work" is correct.