it be rejected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it be rejected" is not correct in standard written English.
It is an incorrect form and does not fit into conventional grammar usage. Example: "If the proposal does not meet the criteria, it be rejected."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Around 5 30 a.m., Mr. Bachrach began drafting a three-page letter to Judge Kaplan, calling the government's proposal "a nonstarter" and asking that it be "rejected in its entirety".

The New York Times

It's safer expressed covertly lest it be rejected.

The Guardian - Opinion

Would it be rejected as cause if not caught on CCTV?

The Guardian - Opinion

"If it were brought to Congress now, I would certainly ask that it be rejected".

The New York Times

But when he tried to use an example 165 square feet smaller, Ms. Contro asked that it be rejected as too different to be comparable.

The New York Times

Even if a majority of the committee opposes the nominee, tradition calls for the panel to send the nomination to full Senate recommending it be rejected.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

It was rejected.

The New York Times

It was rejected from both.

The New York Times - Science

It was rejected outright.

The New York Times - Magazine

But it was rejected.

The Guardian

It was rejected for showing skin.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "it be rejected" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "it will be rejected" or "it should be rejected".

Common error

Don't use "it be rejected" thinking it's a subjunctive construction. While the subjunctive exists in English, this phrase doesn't correctly employ it. Subjunctive constructions often use "were" instead of "was" (e.g., "If it were rejected").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it be rejected" functions as a passive construction, aiming to express that something undergoes the action of being rejected. However, it's considered grammatically incorrect in contemporary standard English, as confirmed by Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it be rejected" appears in various sources, including news articles and academic texts, Ludwig identifies it as grammatically incorrect in modern standard English. The intended meaning is typically to convey that something is refused or not accepted. For correct and clear communication, it's advisable to use alternatives like "it will be rejected", "it should be rejected", or "it is rejected". The frequency of this phrase is uncommon, and its use is generally discouraged in formal writing due to grammatical concerns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it should be rejected

Replaces the subjunctive mood with a more standard modal verb construction, indicating a recommendation or expectation.

it will be rejected

Uses the future tense to express a prediction that something will not be accepted.

it is rejected

Employs the simple present passive voice, stating a general truth about something being refused.

it was rejected

Uses the past passive voice to indicate a past refusal.

it gets rejected

Uses a more informal phrasing to describe the action of rejection.

it is refused

Replaces "rejected" with a synonym in the present passive tense.

it stands rejected

Adds emphasis to the state of being rejected.

its rejection is expected

Shifts the focus to the expectation of rejection, rather than the act itself.

the rejection of it is likely

Expresses the likelihood of rejection in a more formal manner.

a refusal is expected

Rephrases the idea focusing on a refusal.

FAQs

How can I correctly express the idea of something being rejected?

Use grammatically correct alternatives like "it will be rejected", "it should be rejected", or "it is rejected" depending on the intended meaning and context.

Is "it be rejected" grammatically correct?

No, "it be rejected" is not grammatically correct in modern standard English. Use alternative constructions like "it was rejected" to express the same idea correctly.

What's the difference between "it be rejected" and "it should be rejected"?

"It be rejected" is grammatically incorrect. "It should be rejected" expresses a recommendation or expectation. Using "should" adds a sense of advisability or necessity.

Can I use "it be rejected" in any context?

While you might encounter "it be rejected" in older texts or non-standard dialects, it's best to avoid it in contemporary writing and speech. Stick to grammatically standard alternatives like "it is rejected" or "it will be rejected".