deserved to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'deserved to be' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when talking about something that someone earned or deserved. For example, "He deserved to be rewarded for his hard work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It deserved to be seen.

The New Yorker

Disability deserved to be covered as well.

The New York Times

They deserved to be 2-0 up.

Independent

He absolutely deserved to be benched.

The New York Times

They deserved to be paid".

The New York Times - Sports

As they deserved to be.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He deserved to be nervous.

The New York Times - Magazine

He deserved to be president.

The New York Times - Books

He deserved to be punished.

The New York Times

He thought neither deserved to be president.

The Washington Post

I thought that deserved to be noted".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deserved to be" to clearly express that someone or something has earned a particular outcome or status through their actions or qualities.

Common error

Avoid using "deserved to be" when the context requires a different tense. For example, use "deserves to be" for present or future scenarios where the deserving action is ongoing or yet to occur.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deserved to be" functions as part of a verb phrase, typically used to express that someone or something has earned or merited a particular outcome or status. It reflects a judgment about what is rightfully due, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "deserved to be" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to indicate that someone or something has rightfully earned a specific outcome or status. Ludwig AI supports this, and it's evident from the numerous examples sourced from reputable news and media outlets. While versatile, it’s important to use the correct tense based on the timeline of events. Alternatives like "ought to be" or "should have been" can offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. Using this phrase effectively conveys a sense of fairness and just consequence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to be

Emphasizes a moral obligation or expectation, rather than just what was earned.

had a right to be

Focuses on the entitlement or justified claim to something.

was entitled to be

Highlights the justified expectation of receiving something.

merited being

Uses a gerund to emphasize the deserving quality of the action or state.

warranted being

Indicates justification or a valid reason for something to occur.

should have been

Expresses a past expectation that was not fulfilled.

was worthy of being

Highlights the quality or value that made something deserving.

had it coming

An informal phrase suggesting someone received something negative they deserved.

earned the right to be

Stresses the effort or achievement that led to being deserving.

was fit to be

Implies suitability or qualification for a certain state or role.

FAQs

How can I use "deserved to be" in a sentence?

Use "deserved to be" to indicate that someone or something earned a particular outcome. For instance, "He "deserved to be rewarded" for his dedication."

What are some alternatives to "deserved to be"?

Alternatives include "ought to be", "should have been", or "was entitled to be", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "deserves to be" instead of "deserved to be"?

Yes, "deserves to be" is correct, but it's used in different contexts. "Deserves to be" refers to something that is currently earning or merits something, while "deserved to be" refers to something that earned it in the past. An example is "He "deserves to be recognized" for his ongoing efforts" versus "He deserved to be recognized for his past achievements".

What's the difference between "deserved to be" and "should have been"?

"Deserved to be" implies that someone earned something, while "should have been" expresses an expectation that was not met. For example, "He deserved to be promoted because of his hard work" versus "He should have been promoted, but the company had budget cuts".