simple to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "simple to be" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express ease of existence or being, but it lacks clarity and context for proper usage. Example: "It is not simple to be understood by everyone."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sounds too simple to be true?

Independent

It sounds too simple to be significant.

The Guardian

It all seems just too simple to be helpful.

The Guardian

"I had to play something simple to be enticed to get into it".

The New York Times

"Each one looked too simple to be anything, but would sweep me away.

The New York Times

It is so simple to be mapped out, all the closest ones are actually orange.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The goal becomes more simple: to be one step better than you were before.

The Guardian

Additionally this approach is simple to be implemented and it better controls the combinatory explosion.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

The theory sounded too simple to be true, but right offhand I couldn't find any flaws in it.

The New York Times

When I first heard of it about two years ago, it sounded too simple to be true.

Cornell University

And when managers do learn about this approach, they often think it's too simple to be effective.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While the phrase is frequently used, consider more grammatically sound alternatives like "easy to be" or rephrasing the sentence for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "simple to be" in formal writing; it often weakens the sentence. Instead, opt for more direct constructions, such as "easy to implement" or "straightforward to understand", which enhance clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "simple to be" functions as an infinitive phrase aiming to describe a quality or state. However, Ludwig AI indicates it's not a grammatically correct construction, though commonly used. Its primary function is to express ease or lack of complexity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "simple to be" is frequently used across diverse sources like news, science, and academia, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically questionable. It functions to express ease or lack of complexity, but can be improved by opting for constructions like "easy to be", restructuring for clarity or directness. Its register tends toward neutral but using alternative phrasing can enhance the precision and strength of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

easy to be

Replaces "simple" with "easy", emphasizing the lack of difficulty.

straightforward to be

Uses "straightforward" to convey a sense of directness and lack of complication.

uncomplicated to be

Substitutes "simple" with "uncomplicated", highlighting the absence of complexity.

effortless to be

Focuses on the lack of effort required.

basic to be

Indicates a fundamental or elementary nature.

minimal to be

Highlights the reduced or least possible aspect.

modest to be

Shifts focus to humility and lack of pretension.

plain to be

Conveys simplicity and lack of adornment.

accessible to be

Emphasizes the ease of reaching or understanding.

manageable to be

Highlights the capability of being easily handled or controlled.

FAQs

What does "simple to be" mean?

The phrase "simple to be" generally suggests that something is easy or uncomplicated in its existence or execution. However, it is often grammatically awkward and can be replaced with clearer alternatives.

What are some alternatives to "simple to be"?

Consider using phrases like "easy to be", "straightforward to be", or rephrasing the sentence to use constructions like "simple to implement" or "easy to understand" for better clarity.

Is "simple to be" grammatically correct?

While frequently used, "simple to be" is not considered grammatically sound. It's better to use alternatives like "easy to be" or restructure the sentence for grammatical correctness.

How can I improve sentences using "simple to be"?

Replace "simple to be" with more precise and grammatically correct alternatives such as "easy to understand", "simple to implement", or "straightforward to be". This enhances clarity and strengthens your writing.