designed to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "designed to be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that is intentionally created for a specific purpose. For example, "This project was designed to be a success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It wasn't designed to be fashionable.

Independent

"It is designed to be very educational.

The New York Times - Sports

These disasters are designed to be manageable.

The New Yorker

His empire was designed to be conservative.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As video games were designed to be.

The New York Times - Tech

It was designed to be emotional".

The New Yorker

The streets are designed to be walkable.

The New York Times

"It's designed to be flexible.

The New York Times - Magazine

The Web was designed to be flexible.

The New York Times

It was designed to be conspicuous.

The New York Times - Arts

Indeed is designed to be simple.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "designed to be" to clearly state the intended function or characteristic of something, ensuring your writing is direct and unambiguous.

Common error

Avoid using "designed to be" when describing coincidental outcomes. The phrase should indicate a deliberate, intentional design, not accidental characteristics.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "designed to be" functions as part of a verb phrase indicating the intended purpose or characteristic of a subject. It connects the subject to its planned state or function. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "designed to be" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the intended purpose or characteristic of something. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of this phrase. It's most frequently found in News & Media, Scientific, and Academic contexts, reflecting its widespread applicability. When using "designed to be", ensure that the context reflects a deliberate intention rather than a coincidental outcome. Alternatives such as "intended to be" or "meant to be" can provide subtle variations in meaning. The high source quality and frequent usage reinforce its reliability in various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intended to be

Focuses on the purpose or intention behind the design.

meant to be

Implies a predetermination or destiny in addition to design.

created to be

Highlights the act of creation with a specific outcome in mind.

built to be

Emphasizes the construction or assembly aspect of the design.

engineered to be

Focuses on the technical and precise aspects of the design process.

fashioned to be

Suggests a more artistic or crafted design.

configured to be

Implies a specific arrangement or setup for a particular function.

set up to be

Focuses on the preparation and arrangement for a specific outcome.

developed to be

Highlights the evolution and refinement of the design.

optimized to be

Emphasizes the efficiency and effectiveness of the design.

FAQs

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

Use "designed to be" to describe the intended purpose or characteristic of something. For example, "This software is designed to be user-friendly".

What can I say instead of "designed to be"?

You can use alternatives like "intended to be", "meant to be", or "created to be" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "design to be" instead of "designed to be"?

No, "design to be" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "designed to be", which uses the past participle of "design" to indicate intention.

What's the difference between "designed to be" and "destined to be"?

"Designed to be" implies intentional creation for a specific purpose, while "destined to be" suggests a predetermined or inevitable outcome.