shaping to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shaping to be" is grammatically correct and is commonly used in written English. It is typically used to describe something that is evolving or developing into a certain form or shape. Example: "The new CEO's management style is shaping to be more collaborative and inclusive, which is a positive change for the company." In this sentence, the phrase "shaping to be" is used to show that the CEO's management style is in the process of becoming more collaborative and inclusive. It implies that it is not fully developed yet, but it is on its way towards that direction.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

He said: "It was shaping to be a really good race.

The Guardian - Sport

In conclusion, we have demonstrated a novel digital laser that allows arbitrary intra-cavity laser beam shaping to be executed on the fly.

Nature

"This mascot will bring just the right enthusiasm, fun and energy our city is renowned for and will be part of the lasting legacy of what is shaping to be a great Games.

The Guardian - Sport

There will be plenty of new faces at the 38th annual Grammy Awards ceremony this year, which is shaping to be a duel between two new female singers, Alanis Morissette and Joan Osborne.

The New York Times - Arts

He took a look at the lay of the land in the Senate; decided that he had no appetite for a bruising confirmation battle in the midst of what is shaping to be a fierce fight over the fiscal cliff, and decided instead to push Rice over the edge.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the event that there was a case with missing data, it was deleted as the sample size was shaping to be sufficiently large for the study.

International Journal of STEM Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"Sonoran Desert Summer" is not a collection of essays but a book shaped to be a book.

The New York Times - Books

Why is being worm-shaped such a successful shape to be?

The Guardian

There are the old pot shapes to be sure.

The New York Times

This method enables overlays of arbitrary shape to be created.

Harvard University

Studies have shown that women's ideal body shape is to be thinner than average — and thinner than what men consider the ideal shape to be.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shaping to be" to describe ongoing developments or trends. This implies the final outcome is not yet determined but is showing a clear direction.

Common error

Avoid using "shaping to be" when describing a completed action. It's best suited for situations still in progress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shaping to be" functions as part of a verb phrase, indicating an ongoing process of development or transformation. Ludwig AI's examples illustrate its role in describing how something is progressively forming or evolving.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shaping to be" is a grammatically correct and useful expression for describing ongoing processes of development. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and demonstrates its usage across various contexts, primarily in news, science, and formal settings. It's most effective when describing a trend or trajectory, implying an anticipated outcome that is not yet fully realized. Keep in mind to avoid using it for completed actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shaping up to be

Similar, but places more emphasis on expectations.

becoming

A more direct and simple way of expressing the change or transition.

developing into

Highlights the unfolding or maturing aspect of the transformation.

evolving into

Focuses on the gradual process of becoming something different.

in the process of becoming

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the transformation.

turning into

Suggests a more noticeable or dramatic transformation is happening.

promising to be

Focuses on the potential and anticipated qualities of the final outcome.

progressing to

Emphasizes the forward movement and direction of the development.

maturing into

Implies a natural and gradual process of growth and refinement.

starting to look like

More informal, suggesting an emerging resemblance.

FAQs

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

Use "shaping to be" to describe something that is currently developing or evolving into a particular state. For example, "The project is shaping to be a great success".

What are some alternatives to "shaping to be"?

You can use alternatives like "evolving into", "developing into", or "becoming" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "shaping to be" and "shaping up to be"?

While similar, "shaping up to be" emphasizes expectations or predictions about the future outcome, whereas "shaping to be" simply describes the current trajectory.

In what contexts is "shaping to be" most appropriate?

"Shaping to be" is appropriate in various contexts, including news reports, academic discussions, and business analyses, to describe ongoing developments or trends.