to be acted upon

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be acted upon" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It implies that someone has the power or authority to make a decision and take action. For example, "The board voted to accept the proposal, and now it just needs to be acted upon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It seems a promising suggestion, but not one likely to be acted upon soon.

The Economist

It has yet to be acted upon.

The New York Times

There are hundreds of requests from all across the city waiting to be acted upon.

The New York Times

Even some of the more modest proposals are unlikely to be acted upon.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The medical model assumes the woman is passive and her body needs to be acted upon.

The New York Times

Like other of Kafka's doomed protagonists, he errs by failing to act, instead allowing himself to be acted upon.

The New Yorker

The 52% of leave voters – and the politicians who represented them – expect it to be acted upon.

The Guardian

Early diagnostic testing is one way to act against Alzheimer's, rather than waiting to be acted upon.

The New York Times

They noted that Jeb Bush warned his brother months ago that Mr. Gore could effectively scare elderly voters -- and that those warnings never seemed to be acted upon.

The New York Times

The document has yet to be acted upon, though Davis believes that, even had it been built, it still would have been breached.

The Guardian

This isn't just a letter to be read, but a call to be acted upon," said Christopher Hale, director of Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be acted upon", ensure the context clearly identifies who or what is responsible for taking action. Clarity in this aspect enhances the sentence's overall impact and understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "to be acted upon" in contexts where the actor is unclear, as this can lead to vagueness. Instead, consider rephrasing to specify who should take action. For instance, instead of 'The report needs to be acted upon', write 'The manager needs to act upon the report'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be acted upon" functions as a passive infinitive, indicating that something is the recipient of an action. Ludwig examples show it commonly denotes a need for a decision or intervention.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be acted upon" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It conveys the necessity of action and is often found in formal contexts such as news reports and scientific publications. While effective, it's important to ensure clarity regarding who or what should perform the action. Consider alternatives like "to be implemented" or "to be addressed" for varied emphasis. Be mindful of the potential for passive voice ambiguity and rephrase accordingly to maintain clear and direct communication. The phrase's frequent occurrence in reputable sources underscores its validity and usefulness in professional and academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be implemented

This alternative focuses on the execution aspect, highlighting that a plan or decision needs to be carried out.

to be executed

Similar to 'implemented', it emphasizes the carrying out of a task or order, often with a sense of urgency or formality.

to be addressed

This suggests that a problem or issue requires attention and resolution.

to be handled

Implies a need for management or treatment of a situation or task.

to be dealt with

Similar to 'handled', but often used for problems or challenges that need resolution.

to be processed

Focuses on the systematic steps required to complete a task or handle information.

to be resolved

Specifically indicates that a conflict or issue needs to be settled.

to be attended to

Suggests that something requires immediate attention or care.

to be enforced

Highlights the need for rules or regulations to be applied and followed.

to be undertaken

Emphasizes the commencement or beginning of a project or task.

FAQs

How can I use "to be acted upon" in a sentence?

You can use "to be acted upon" to indicate that something needs a response or decision. For example, "The recommendations need "to be acted upon" promptly" suggests immediate attention is required.

What are some alternatives to "to be acted upon"?

Alternatives include "to be implemented", "to be addressed", or "to be handled". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "to be acted on" grammatically correct compared to "to be acted upon"?

Both "to be acted on" and "to be acted upon" are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. "To be acted upon" is slightly more formal and emphasizes the impact of the action.

In what contexts is "to be acted upon" most appropriate?

"To be acted upon" is appropriate in formal contexts such as legal documents, official reports, or academic papers. It suggests a degree of formality and importance that might not be necessary in more casual settings.