it is to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is to" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to express purpose or intention. Example: "It is to be expected that the new policy will have some opposition." (This means that it is expected that there will be some opposition to the new policy.).

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is to snooze.

The New Yorker

"It is to remain Rubio".

The New York Times

It is to know ourselves.

The Guardian

It is to dismiss politics.

The New Yorker

It is to break rules.

The New York Times

It is to be savoured".

Independent

"It is to repair injustice".

The New Yorker

It is to watch tennis.

Independent

Oh, it is to laugh!

The New York Times

It is to bad.

University of California, Berkeley

It is to me an unbelievable thing.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is to", ensure the sentence clearly indicates the purpose or intended outcome. Avoid ambiguity by providing sufficient context.

Common error

Avoid using "it is to" in sentences where the purpose isn't immediately obvious. Reword the sentence to make the intention clearer, or use a more descriptive phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is to" primarily functions as a purpose connector, linking a subject to its intended action or outcome. It serves to introduce the reason or goal behind something, as demonstrated by Ludwig's numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

24%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

8%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is to" is a grammatically correct and very commonly used phrase that serves as a purpose connector, primarily used to express the intention or objective behind an action or design. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase sees frequent use in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business contexts. When using "it is to", ensure clarity by providing sufficient context and avoiding ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "the aim is to" or "it serves to" for stylistic variation. By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate "it is to" into your writing to clearly convey purpose and intention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the aim is to

Replaces "it is" with "the aim is", focusing on the goal.

the purpose is to

Substitutes "it is" with "the purpose is", emphasizing the objective.

the intention is to

Replaces "it is" with "the intention is", focusing on the intended outcome.

the object is to

Replaces "it is" with "the object is", emphasizing the target or goal.

it aims to

A more concise way of saying "the aim is to".

it serves to

Changes the structure to highlight the function served.

it functions to

Similar to "it serves to", but uses "functions" to describe the action.

it seeks to

Emphasizes the effort or attempt to achieve something.

it's designed to

Highlights the design aspect and its intended function.

it endeavors to

A more formal version of "it seeks to", implying a serious attempt.

FAQs

How can I use "it is to" in a sentence?

Use "it is to" to express the purpose or intention of something. For example, "The purpose of this meeting "it is to" discuss the new project guidelines".

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

You can use alternatives like "the aim is to", "the purpose is to", or "it serves to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "it is to"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with ""it is to"" when expressing a purpose or intention. However, ensure the sentence structure is clear and avoids ambiguity.

What's the difference between "it is to" and "it is for"?

"It is to" indicates a purpose or intention (e.g., "It is to inform"), while "it is for" indicates a use or recipient (e.g., "It is for you").