he is to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a future obligation, expectation, or arrangement. Example: "He is to deliver the presentation tomorrow at 10 AM."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is to be released soon.

The New Yorker

He is to be sentenced Feb. 20.

The New York Times

He is to have children by her.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He is to be sentenced next Thursday.

The New York Times

He is to join the Catalan Dragons.

Independent

Izzy replies, "Well, he is to me".

The New Yorker

He is to continue Tuesday.

The New York Times

He is to be president.

The Guardian - Opinion

He is to be released next month.

The New York Times

He is to be sentenced next month.

The New York Times

He is to be sentenced next week.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he is to", ensure the context clearly indicates who is assigning the obligation or expectation to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "He is to be there", clarify with "He is to be there according to the agreement."

Common error

Avoid overusing "he is to" in informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "he will" or "he's going to" often sound more natural. Reserve "he is to" for situations where you want to emphasize the formal nature of the obligation or arrangement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is to" functions primarily as an auxiliary construction indicating a future action, obligation, or arrangement. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It is employed to express what is expected or scheduled to happen.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he is to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction to indicate future obligations, arrangements, or expectations. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. While versatile, it's best suited for formal or neutral contexts where clarity and a sense of predetermination are desired. Be mindful of simpler alternatives in informal settings. Remembering these guidelines ensures effective and accurate use of "he is to" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he must

Expresses a strong obligation or necessity, differing in the degree of compulsion.

he shall

Indicates a formal or emphatic future action, differing in formality and emphasis.

he is required to

Highlights the requirement or obligation, differing in explicitness.

he is obligated to

Stresses the binding nature of the action, differing in formality.

he is expected to

Indicates an expectation or anticipation, differing in certainty.

he is going to

Expresses a future intention or plan, differing in informality.

he will

A simple future tense, differing in neutrality.

he is scheduled to

Specifies a planned or arranged event, differing in scheduling.

he has to

Indicates a necessity or obligation, differing in colloquialism.

he should

Suggests a recommendation or expectation, differing in strength of obligation.

FAQs

How to use "he is to" in a sentence?

"He is to" is used to indicate a future obligation, arrangement, or plan. For instance, "He is to submit the report by Friday" indicates a required action.

What can I say instead of "he is to"?

Alternatives include "he must", "he shall", "he is going to", or "he is supposed to", depending on the context and level of formality.

Which is correct, "he is to" or "he has to"?

Both "he is to" and "he has to" are grammatically correct, but they have different connotations. "He is to" is more formal and implies an official arrangement or obligation, while "he has to" is more informal and suggests a necessity.

What's the difference between "he is to" and "he will"?

"He is to" indicates a planned or arranged future event, often with a sense of obligation or duty. In contrast, "he will" simply expresses a future action or intention without necessarily implying obligation.