student to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'student to be' is a valid and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is typically used to indicate someone who has been accepted into a program but has not yet begun their studies. For example, "We are looking forward to welcoming the new students to be at the orientation next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The president wants every student to be using e-textbooks by 2017.

The New York Times

Challenge your student to be responsible for each and every decision.

The New York Times

Many rely on the student to be entirely proactive, seeking out the necessary support.

The New York Times

As the youngest student to be admitted to the prestigious Wr.

Independent

"It's a welfare issue because we'd want the student to be well cared for.

The Guardian

We want every student to be in the school of their choice in a way that is fair and just.

The Economist

One team member, Christopher Ricci, 16, surrendered today and became the third student to be arrested as an adult.

The New York Times

Thus, it could cause the student to be isolated or afraid to speak up under difficult circumstances.

The New York Times

A new state law had just taken effect, requiring virtually every college student to be vaccinated against bacterial meningitis before stepping on campus.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Alas, eighteen hasn't found the time to make a final admissions decision about the deftly digited dental-student-to-be, what with graduation from M.S.S.U.

The New Yorker

Even the cheapest, bottom-of-the-line PC offers more horsepower than your student-to-be will ever need for most schoolwork.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, specify the level or field of study when using "student to be", such as "medical student to be" or "graduate student to be".

Common error

Avoid using "student to be" in overly casual or informal conversations; simpler terms like "future student" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "student to be" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject or object complement, describing an individual's impending role. As Ludwig AI states, it indicates someone accepted into a program but not yet studying. The examples show usage in diverse source categories.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "student to be" functions as a noun phrase that identifies someone who is expected to become a student in the future. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's commonly found in news, science, and general online content, indicating a neutral level of formality. While grammatically correct, consider alternatives like "prospective student" or "future student" depending on the context for greater conciseness. Remember that the best practice is to indicate clearly in which field the "student to be" will take part.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prospective student

Replaces the verb phrase "to be" with a single adjective, offering a more concise option. The nuance is that the person is viewing the student role.

future student

Emphasizes the time aspect more directly than "student to be".

incoming student

Specifically indicates a student who is about to begin their studies.

accepted student

Highlights the status of acceptance, less about the time.

enrolled student

Highlights the state of enrollment or registration for a course

newly admitted student

Focuses more on the recent acceptance of the individual, thus emphasizing the fact that the enrollment has just been successful.

student-to-become

Uses a compound adjective to describe someone in the process of becoming a student. It is more stylistically marked.

matriculating student

Implies formal registration or admission to a university, which changes the context slightly.

student in waiting

Suggests a period of anticipation before the student role commences, adding a sense of expectancy.

trainee designate

This is a more professional way to say that someone is going to be trained as a student and is more formal.

FAQs

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

You can use "student to be" to refer to someone who has been accepted into a program but hasn't started studying yet. For instance, "The university held an orientation for all students to be /s/freshmen this fall".

What phrases are similar to "student to be"?

Similar phrases include "prospective student", "future student", or "incoming student". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "student to be" formal or informal?

"Student to be" is generally considered neutral but can lean toward formal depending on the setting. Alternatives like "prospective student" are often preferred in formal writing.

Which is correct, "student to be" or "future student"?

Both "student to be" and "future student" are correct, but they convey slightly different nuances. "Student to be" emphasizes the impending state, while "future student" simply denotes a student at a later time.