is to be defined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is to be defined" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that a term or concept will be clarified or explained later in the text. Example: "The term 'sustainability' is to be defined in the following section to ensure a clear understanding."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

He says: "To resist this new racism is to be defined as racist yourself, which is perverse.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Mr. Bush called it a "new compact for global development" that is to be defined by "a new accountability" for both rich and poor nations.

The New York Times

The nature of ritual, in other words, is to be defined in terms of its function in a society.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The belief in life after death, which is maintained by each of the Abrahamic religions, raises the metaphysical question of how the human person is to be defined.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But the debate here goes much deeper, to the question of what government is for and how community is to be defined.

The New York Times

The message is that "legitimate" Egyptian identity is to be defined from the top down: what one looks like, who one sleeps with, and what god one prays to are markers of belonging, and everyone is vulnerable to exclusion.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

The deal allows Syrian government warplanes to continue to fly missions in some areas that are to be defined later.

The New York Times

The constant chosen was Planck's constant, which was to be defined as equal to 6.6260693 × 10−34 joule second.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On the blackboard was a list of 10 "diversity definitions" -- words like "minority," "prejudice" and "culture shock" -- that were to be defined and discussed.

The New York Times

Territoriality is a principle by which members of a community are to be defined.

SEP

In addition to model design, related specifications are to be defined in the implementation.

Land Use Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is to be defined", ensure that the definition is provided clearly and concisely later in your text. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly linking the term to its subsequent definition.

Common error

Avoid using "is to be defined" without a clear plan to actually define the term later in the text. Leaving the term undefined can confuse readers and undermine your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is to be defined" functions as a linking verb introducing a subject complement that specifies a future action. It signals an intention to provide a definition or clarification later in the text. Ludwig AI shows many instances where it prefaces formal explanations in various fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

24%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is to be defined" is a common and grammatically correct way to introduce a definition or clarification that will be provided later in the text. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely used across different contexts such as science, news, and encyclopedias. It is best practice to ensure that the definition is indeed provided and clearly linked to the initial statement. While the phrase is generally neutral to formal, avoiding vague references will improve writing clarity. Related phrases include "will be defined" and "needs to be defined".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will be defined

Changes the tense to future simple, emphasizing the future action of defining. It's a more direct statement about future definition.

must be defined

Adds a sense of obligation or necessity to the act of defining. It implies that defining something is crucial or required.

should be defined

Introduces a recommendation or suggestion that something be defined, implying it is a good idea or best practice.

needs to be defined

Highlights the necessity of defining something, suggesting that it is currently lacking a clear definition.

is to be determined

Shifts the focus from defining to determining, implying that the outcome is yet unknown and requires a process of discovery.

is to be specified

Emphasizes the detailed and precise nature of the clarification that will follow, focusing on exact details.

will be clarified

Replaces "defined" with "clarified", emphasizing the act of making something clearer and easier to understand.

is yet to be defined

Highlights the unfinished nature of the definition, stressing that it remains incomplete or outstanding.

remains to be defined

Similar to "is yet to be defined", but with a slightly more formal tone, emphasizing the continuing need for a definition.

is to be characterized

Emphasizes the act of describing the qualities or peculiarities of something, moving beyond a simple definition.

FAQs

How can I use "is to be defined" in a sentence?

You can use "is to be defined" to indicate that you will provide a definition for a term or concept later in your text. For example, "The scope of this project "is to be defined" in the following section".

What are some alternatives to "is to be defined"?

Some alternatives include "will be defined", "must be defined", or "needs to be defined", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "is to be defined" or "is defined"?

"Is defined" indicates that something already has a definition. "Is to be defined" indicates that the definition will be provided later. The correct choice depends on whether the definition is already known or will be introduced.

What's the difference between "is to be defined" and "is to be determined"?

"Is to be defined" implies a formal explanation of meaning, while "is to be determined" suggests a process of finding something out or establishing it, indicating that the exact nature of something "is to be determined" through investigation or analysis.