designated to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "designated to be" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that has been chosen or assigned for a specific purpose or role. Here is an example: "The new employee was designated to be the team leader for the project." In this sentence, "designated to be" indicates that the employee was specifically chosen or assigned to take on the role of team leader.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was designated to be the chief intermediary between Sterling and Madoff.

The New York Times - Sports

A Our offices are in a place designated to be a hotel.

The New York Times

Both parcels had earlier been designated to be part of a 300,000-square-foot outlet mall.

The New York Times

Others may have received bequests, many of which are designated to be used only for the purchase of objects.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They love schemes even more, and in that one Pat was designated to be the "contain man".

The New York Times - Magazine

This little culinary gem is in the center of what is designated to be HafenCity's creative center.

The New York Times - Travel

The closings are a windfall for Wal-Mart because many of the stores designated to be closed are next to Wal-Mart stores.

The New York Times

She was designated to be erased from the living, to leave no grave, no sign, no physical trace of any kind.

The New Yorker

According to an accompanying chart, in the event of a disaster I was designated to be in Seat 24, next to the steward, in the free-fall boat.

The New Yorker

The other is William V. Corr, designated to be deputy secretary of health and human services, who was a lobbyist for the nonprofit Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

The New York Times

These are the finds designated to be thrown away, but instead, Archeological Seminars offers every would-be archaeologist a chance to take a piece of the dig home.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer active voice when possible. For example instead of writing 'The area was designated to be a park', consider writing 'The city designated the area as a park' for a more direct and concise statement

Common error

Avoid using "designated to be" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its formal tone can sound unnatural or pretentious in everyday contexts. Opt for simpler alternatives like "meant to be" or "intended to be"/s/intended+to+be in less formal scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "designated to be" functions as part of a predicate, typically following a verb like 'was' or 'is'. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It indicates that something has been officially chosen or assigned for a specific purpose.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

34%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "designated to be" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that indicates an official assignment or intended purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Its formality makes it suitable for academic, scientific, and official contexts, as evidenced by its prevalence in sources like The New York Times and scientific journals. While it is acceptable in many writing scenarios, avoid its use in informal conversations where it can come across as overly formal. Consider synonyms like "assigned to be" or "intended to be depending on the context".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assigned to be

Highlights the act of allocating or distributing a task, role, or responsibility.

intended to be

Focuses on the purpose or plan behind something, highlighting what was originally designed or meant for.

chosen to be

Emphasizes the selection process, indicating a deliberate choice from multiple options.

selected to be

Similar to "chosen to be", but often implies a more formal or structured selection process.

meant to be

Emphasizes predestination or a natural inclination towards a specific outcome or role.

expected to be

Focuses on anticipation or prediction based on current information or circumstances.

set to be

Indicates a future event or state that has been scheduled or planned.

appointed to be

Highlights the act of formally assigning someone to a role or position.

destined to be

Suggests a predetermined or inevitable outcome, implying a sense of fate.

defined as

Focuses on establishing a clear and precise meaning or scope.

FAQs

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

You can use "designated to be" to describe something that has been officially chosen or assigned for a specific role or purpose. For example, "The area was designated to be a protected wildlife reserve."

What's the difference between "designated to be" and "intended to be"?

"Designated to be" implies a more formal assignment or official decision, while "intended to be"/s/intended+to+be suggests a plan or purpose that may not be formally recognized.

Are there synonyms for "designated to be" that I can use?

Yes, alternatives include "assigned to be", "appointed to be", or "meant to be depending on the context".

Is "designated to be" formal or informal?

"Designated to be" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for official documents, reports, and academic writing. In more casual settings, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate.