it was to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was to be" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used when talking about a future event or action that was planned or expected to happen. Example: The wedding was to be held in the grand ballroom of the hotel, but due to the pandemic, it had to be moved to a smaller venue.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It was to be expected.

The New York Times - Sports

WHAT bliss it was to be alive.

The Economist

So it was to be sold.

The Economist

It was to be her first Carmen.

The New York Times

It was to be screened Thursday.

The New York Times - Arts

It was to be popular.

The Guardian - Books

It was to be Vujosevic's escape vehicle.

The New Yorker

It was to be Wilder's last embarrassment.

The New York Times

It was to be a March wedding.

The New York Times

It was to be an inspired decision.

The Guardian - Sport

It was to be a pilgrimage.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your phrasing with synonyms like "it was intended to be" or "it was scheduled to be" to add nuance and avoid repetition.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses inappropriately after using "it was to be". Ensure that subsequent clauses maintain a consistent past or past perfect tense to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was to be" functions as a modal construction indicating a planned or expected future event from a past perspective. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Examples show it preceding a noun, adjective, or verb phrase, specifying the nature of the planned event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

12%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was to be" is a grammatically correct and very common construction used to express a planned or expected future event from a past perspective. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently found in news, media and science, often setting up a contrast between expectation and reality. For alternative phrasings, consider options like "it was intended to be" or "it was scheduled to be", adjusting for desired formality. When using this phrase, ensure tense consistency and be mindful of the context to avoid potential misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it had been planned to be

Emphasizes prior planning and intention.

it was intended to be

Highlights the purpose or aim behind the action.

it was scheduled to be

Focuses on the timing and arrangement of the event.

it was meant to be

Suggests a sense of destiny or inevitability.

it was supposed to be

Implies an expectation or obligation.

it would have been

Describes a hypothetical or unrealized event.

it was destined to be

Similar to 'meant to be', but with a stronger emphasis on fate.

it was going to be

A more informal way to express a future intention.

it was arranged to be

Highlights the act of organizing or preparing the event.

it was conceived as

Focuses on the initial idea or design of the event.

FAQs

How can I use "it was to be" in a sentence?

You can use "it was to be" to describe a planned or expected event that may or may not have occurred. For example, "The meeting "it was to be" held on Friday, but it was postponed."

What are some alternatives to "it was to be"?

Alternatives include "it was intended to be", "it was scheduled to be", or "it was meant to be", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "it was to be" and "it was going to be"?

"It was to be" is often used in more formal contexts and implies a plan or arrangement. "It was going to be" is more informal and suggests a future intention. The choice depends on the desired tone and formality of your writing.

Is "it was to be" always about something that didn't happen?

No, "it was to be" can refer to something that did happen as planned, but it's often used to create a contrast with a change in plans or an unexpected outcome. However, if the sentence has no further explanation, you can understand it indeed happened.