seize to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seize to be" is not correct in English.
The correct expression is "cease to be," which means to stop existing or to no longer be. Example: "After the merger, the company will cease to be a separate entity."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The 46-year-old Australian actor previously hinted that he would seize to be Wolverine in an Instagram post which said "WOLVERINE …ONE LAST TIME.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Indeed, F.D.I.C. officials say they expect both the number and total assets belonging to the banks that it seizes to be lower this year.

The New York Times

Almost everywhere that European settlers went, they either proclaimed the land they seized to be terra nullius or, by expelling its people, ensured that it became so.

The Guardian

A magistrate yesterday ordered that the money be seized to be officially recorded.

Vice

US law allows seized assets to be used to compensate victims.

The Guardian - Business

As a school of Daoist learning, "Twofold Mystery" seizes this to be the key to understanding the Laozi.

SEP

Unencumbered by what is, and ready to seize what ought to be.

The Guardian

Now is the time for the Sounders to seize the initiative – to be Sounders.

The Guardian - Sport

Governor Pataki and his colleagues in the Legislature are right to seize this opportunity to be bold and innovative.

The New York Times

Seize the opportunity to be present in the moment.

HuffPost

Unencumbered by what is, and ready to seize what ought to be," he said.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you mean to express stopping or ending something, use "cease to be" instead of the ungrammatical "seize to be".

Common error

Avoid substituting "seize" for "cease". "Seize" means to take hold of something, while "cease" means to stop. They have opposite meanings, so using "seize to be" when you mean "cease to be" will confuse your readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seize to be" functions incorrectly as a verb phrase due to the misuse of "seize". As Ludwig AI indicates, the proper phrase to indicate cessation is "cease to be". The intended function is often to describe the ending of an existence or state.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seize to be" is grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig AI, the correct phrase to use is "cease to be" when you mean for something to stop or end. While examples of "seize to be" exist, they are infrequent and often represent misuse or confusion with the correct term. Therefore, it's essential to use "cease to be" to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy. The correct usage will be understood and appropriate in neutral to formal writing situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cease to be

Indicates stopping existing or being something, contrasting with "seize" which implies taking hold. This is the correct and more conventional expression.

take to be

Implies interpreting something in a specific way, shifting from the seizing action to an interpretive one.

grasp to be

Suggests understanding or realizing something, changing the focus from taking hold to comprehending.

capture to be

Similar to "seize", but carries a stronger connotation of gaining control or possession, which is more direct.

reap to be

Implies gaining as a result of effort, moving from seizing to earning or deserving.

seize the opportunity to be

Focuses on taking advantage of a chance to be something, adding a conditional aspect that the original lacks.

understand to be

Emphasizes intellectual comprehension rather than physical seizing, changing the action's nature.

achieve to be

Highlights the accomplishment of being something, shifting from immediate action to a completed state.

dominate to be

Suggests control or influence over something, moving the focus from seizing to maintaining power.

enjoy to be

Implies deriving pleasure or benefit from being something, contrasting with the forceful implication of "seize".

FAQs

What does "seize" mean?

"Seize" means to take hold of something suddenly and forcibly. It can also mean to take an opportunity eagerly. However, in the context of existence or being, "cease to be" is the correct phrase.

What can I use instead of "seize to be"?

The correct phrase to use if you want to convey the idea of something stopping is "cease to be". If you intend to communicate taking an opportunity, use "seize the opportunity to be".

Is "seize to be" grammatically correct?

No, "seize to be" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct phrase for something stopping is "cease to be".

How can I use "seize" correctly in a sentence?

Use "seize" to mean taking hold of something or taking an opportunity. For example, "Seize the day" or "The police seized the stolen goods". Avoid using it to mean something stopping; for that, use "cease to be".