he is to begin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is to begin" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a scheduled or expected action that someone is supposed to start. Example: "He is to begin his new role as manager next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is to begin serving his sentence in June.

The New York Times

He is to begin covering the presidential campaign this fall.

The New York Times

Next month, he is to begin a two-year assignment in Shanghai as a consular officer.

The New York Times

Later this month, he is to begin studying for an M.B.A. at the London Business School.

The New York Times

He is to begin a fellowship in cultural geography at Syracuse in September.

The New York Times

In August, he is to begin pursuing a law degree at Harvard.

The New York Times

In August, he is to begin studying for an M.B.A. at the University of California, Berkeley.

The New York Times

Later this month he is to begin his third year of law school at Yale.

The New York Times

In September, he is to begin studying for a master's in public administration at N.Y.U.

The New York Times

In September, he is to begin studying for an M.B.A. at the University of Chicago.

The New York Times

In August, he is to begin law school at the University of North Carolina.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he is to begin" when indicating a formal or scheduled start of an activity or role. It's particularly suitable for announcements or official communications.

Common error

Avoid using "he is to begin" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "he will start" or "he's going to begin" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is to begin" functions as an infinitive phrase, indicating a future action that is planned or scheduled. This aligns with Ludwig's assessment, which confirms its correctness in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he is to begin" is a grammatically correct and frequently used construction, particularly in formal contexts like news reports and announcements. According to Ludwig, the phrase is suitable for written English. While versatile, it is best reserved for situations where a formal tone is appropriate; simpler alternatives are preferable in casual settings. Its primary function is to indicate a planned or scheduled future action. Given its usage patterns, it's most commonly found in news and media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he will start

Uses a simpler future tense construction with "will" instead of the "is to" structure.

he is going to begin

Employs the "going to" future tense, which is slightly more informal than "is to".

he shall commence

Uses the more formal "shall" to indicate a future commencement.

he will be starting

Uses the future continuous tense, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the starting action.

he is scheduled to start

Highlights the planned or scheduled nature of the commencement.

he is about to begin

Indicates that the action will start very soon or imminently.

he is poised to begin

Implies readiness and anticipation of the commencement.

he is set to begin

Similar to "scheduled to start", but with a stronger sense of certainty.

he intends to begin

Focuses on his intention to start, rather than the certainty of it happening.

he plans to begin

Similar to "intends to begin", but emphasizes the planning aspect.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "he is to begin" in a simpler way?

You can use phrases like "he will start", "he is going to begin", or "he is starting" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "he is to begin" formal or informal?

The phrase "he is to begin" leans toward the formal side. In more casual settings, simpler alternatives are often preferred.

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

"He is to begin" often implies a plan or arrangement, while "he will begin" is a more general statement about a future action.

When is it appropriate to use "he is to begin"?

It is appropriate to use "he is to begin" in formal announcements, official communications, or when emphasizing a scheduled or arranged event. Avoid in informal conversations.