things to be good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "things to be good" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to express a desire for certain things to be positive or beneficial, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "I hope that all things to be good will come to fruition in our project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Things have worked out better than I expected, perhaps because I didn't expect things to be good.

The Guardian - Film

But if thou dost not think such things to be good or evil, thou wilt more readily be well disposed to him who is in error.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But while Mr. Prendergast said he did not "consider things to be good luck or bad luck" on matters of upended service, the authority could credibly claim to be star-crossed of late.

The New York Times

He doesn't want things to be good.

TechCrunch

It is sufficient for certain things to be good that we have the natures that we have; it is in virtue of our common human nature that the good for us is what it is.

SEP

Allow things to be good.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"What a bizarre thing to be good at".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's a supremely stupid thing to be good at.

The New Yorker

For either thou thyself thinkest the same thing to be good that he does or another thing of the same kind.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It's one thing to be good to people who are treating you well.

Huffington Post

The important thing is to be good neighbours.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for grammatical precision, rephrase "things to be good" to align with standard English. Instead of using "things to be good", use alternatives like "for things to go well" or "for everything to be alright".

Common error

Avoid direct translations or literal interpretations that do not conform to conventional English grammar. "Things to be good" doesn't follow standard English sentence structure; aim to use recognized grammatical patterns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things to be good" functions as a nominal phrase expressing a desired state or outcome. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is not correct in standard written English, and it often serves as a placeholder for more grammatically sound expressions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "things to be good" appears in various contexts, it's crucial to recognize that Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect in standard written English. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as academic sources, its function is to express a desire for positive outcomes. However, for formal or precise communication, it's advisable to use more grammatically sound alternatives such as "for things to go well" or "for everything to be alright" to ensure clarity and correctness. Prioritize grammatical accuracy to avoid potential misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for things to go well

This alternative focuses on the positive progression of events rather than a static state.

for everything to be alright

This phrase conveys a sense of reassurance and the absence of problems.

for matters to improve

This suggests a change from a less desirable state to a more favorable one.

for circumstances to be favorable

This highlights external conditions that support success or happiness.

for conditions to be optimal

This implies that all necessary factors are present for the best possible outcome.

that things are satisfactory

Emphasizes a level of acceptance and contentment.

that matters are in good shape

Highlights a positive and well-organized state of affairs.

that situations are positive

Focuses on the affirmative aspect and desirable nature of situations.

so that things turn out well

This alternative expresses a desire for a good resolution or outcome.

for a positive outcome to emerge

This focuses on a favorable result arising from a situation or event.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "things to be good" to sound more natural?

You can use alternatives such as "for things to go well", "for everything to be alright", or "for matters to improve" depending on the context.

What's wrong with saying "things to be good"?

While understandable, "things to be good" does not follow standard English grammar rules. It's better to use more grammatically correct phrases like "for things to go well".

Is "things to be good" ever appropriate in formal writing?

No, "things to be good" is generally inappropriate for formal writing. Opt for more precise and grammatically correct alternatives for professional contexts.

Can "things to be good" be used in any specific dialect or regional variation of English?

While it might appear in informal speech or certain dialects, it's not considered standard English and should be used with caution, especially in writing.