shape it to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"shape it to be" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing the process of forming or influencing something to achieve a desired outcome. Example: "We need to shape it to be more user-friendly." Alternative expressions include "mold it to be" and "form it to be."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Also, this year I was on a group with Carol Becker, dean of the art school at Colombia, who argues really passionately for what an art school could be—I started to feel like I wasn't sure about the school I was teaching in at the time, Parsons, and if I could shape it to be like the schools she was describing.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Based on the bulb, make the outer frame by the shape you want it to be.

WikiHow

Laminate the shape if you want it to be durable.

WikiHow

Safety pin it to be the shape the pillow was.

WikiHow

Our job is to shape it to our human purposes.

The Guardian - Books

"It shapes up to be a terrific matchup".

The New York Times - Sports

But it looks like it's shaping up to be Scorsese's year.

The Guardian - Film

So while it's shaping up to be an interesting release, it's also a bit of an odd one.

TechCrunch

For London, given the required shape, surely it has to be the Yorkshire Pudding".

The Guardian

In this case, the convolute is rectangular in shape as it happens to be a very small effect.

Acta Crystallographica Section A: Foundations and Advances

But it is shaping up to be one of its premier surf spots.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shape it to be" when you want to emphasize the active process of influencing or molding something towards a desired state or outcome. For example, "We must shape the policy to be inclusive of all citizens".

Common error

Avoid using "shape it to be" when the subject is inherently incapable of being molded or influenced. For example, instead of saying "The weather shaped the day to be sunny", which implies intent on the weather's part, use a more appropriate verb like 'made' or 'caused'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shape it to be" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of influencing or molding something to achieve a desired state or form. Ludwig provides examples illustrating this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

12%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shape it to be" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to describe the process of influencing or molding something towards a desired outcome. Ludwig highlights its presence across diverse contexts, from news articles to wiki pages and scientific publications. While "shape it to be" is not extremely frequent, its effectiveness lies in its ability to convey intention, direction, and control. Remember to use it when you aim to emphasize the active process of influencing an entity towards a specific state. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and provides relevant usage examples, making it a valuable tool in expressing the desired outcome of intentional efforts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mold it to become

Replaces "be" with "become", shifting the focus slightly to the process of transformation.

design it to be

Emphasizes the planning and intentionality aspect of influencing the final state.

mold it into being

Changes the verb "shape" to "mold" and the prepositional phrase to "into being" emphasizing the act of creation.

tailor it to be

Emphasizes customization and adaptation to fit a specific purpose or requirement.

structure it to be

Highlights the act of organizing and arranging something to achieve a certain state.

form it into existence

Replaces "shape" with "form" and uses "into existence" to highlight the creation aspect.

guide it to be

Uses a more direct verb to express influencing the path towards a particular state.

sculpt it into the desired form

Substitutes "shape" with "sculpt" and adds "the desired form" for clarity, implying a more deliberate crafting process.

influence its development to be

Focuses on the gradual process of guiding something towards a specific end.

craft it to the required specifications

Uses "craft" instead of "shape" and focuses on meeting specific requirements.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "shape it to be" for formal writing?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "design it to be", "structure it to be", or "mold it to become" to convey a similar meaning with greater precision.

What does it mean to "shape it to be"?

To "shape it to be" means to actively influence or mold something into a specific form, state, or condition, often with a particular purpose or goal in mind. It implies a deliberate effort to achieve a desired outcome.

Is "shape it to be" interchangeable with "form it to be"?

While similar, "form it to be" often implies a more fundamental act of creation or construction, whereas "shape it to be" suggests modifying an existing entity. The choice depends on the specific context.

How to use "shape it to be" in a sentence?

You can use "shape it to be" in a sentence like this: "We need to shape the program to be more effective" or "The artist shaped the clay to be a beautiful sculpture".