plans to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plans to be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express someone's intentions or future aspirations regarding a particular role, state, or condition. Example: "She plans to be a doctor after completing her studies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He plans to be an engineer.

The New York Times - Magazine

He plans to be careful.

The New York Times - Sports

It plans to be open.

The New York Times - Food

He plans to be there.

The New York Times - Sports

Memorial plans to be announced.

The New York Times

He plans to be here a while.

The New York Times - Sports

His mother plans to be there.

The New York Times - Sports

At any rate, there are plans to be made.

The New Yorker

Other dissident voices have been making plans to be heard.

The New York Times

But he has no plans to be an assistant again.

Independent

He plans to be back for the semifinal.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plans to be" to describe concrete, actionable goals rather than vague aspirations.

Common error

Avoid using "plans on being" when "plans to be" is more concise and grammatically preferred. For example, instead of writing 'She plans on being a doctor', write 'She plans to be a doctor'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plans to be" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing future intentions or aspirations. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it commonly connects a subject with a desired future state or role, as seen in examples like, "He plans to be an engineer."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "plans to be" is a grammatically correct and commonly used infinitive phrase expressing future intentions or aspirations. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions to convey what someone or something intends to become, with neutral tone suitable for news, professional, and academic settings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the subject and the intended outcome. Alternatives like "intends to be" or "aims to be" can be used for subtle variations in emphasis. Be mindful to use "plans to be" instead of "plans on being" for conciseness and grammatical preference.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intends to be

Uses a more formal verb to convey intention.

aims to be

Emphasizes the goal-oriented nature of the plan.

is planning on being

Adds a continuous aspect, suggesting ongoing planning.

aspires to be

Implies a strong desire and ambition.

desires to be

Highlights the wish or longing to be something.

hopes to be

Expresses a wishful expectation.

expects to be

Suggests a confident anticipation.

anticipates being

Focuses on looking forward to a future state.

is set to be

Indicates a high degree of certainty and preparation.

schemes to be

This suggests a carefully crafted or even manipulative plan.

FAQs

How can I use "plans to be" in a sentence?

Use "plans to be" to describe someone's intentions for the future. For example, "He "plans to be" a computer engineer" or "The company "plans to be" a market leader".

What are some alternatives to "plans to be"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "intends to be", "aims to be", or "hopes to be".

Is it correct to say "plans on being" instead of "plans to be"?

While "plans on being" is sometimes used, ""plans to be"" is generally considered more grammatically correct and concise. Therefore, it's the better choice for formal writing.

What's the difference between "plans to be" and "is planning to be"?

"Plans to be" describes a general intention, while "is planning to be" suggests an ongoing process of preparation and arrangement.