to be appropriate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be appropriate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is suitable for a specific purpose, context, or situation. For example: "The clothing she chose for the event was appropriate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Don't try to be appropriate".

The New York Times

"When you are a leader, you have to be appropriate.

Independent

"It's above and beyond what's considered to be appropriate support at the college level".

The New York Times

But he added the trust considered the BBC's response to the controversy to be appropriate.

The Guardian

A potential weakness was always likely to be appropriate "referral after" advice.

The Guardian - Money

Trainers need to be appropriate for your foot type, running style and purpose.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That means it has to be appropriate for the many and not just the entitled few.

The Guardian - Arts

"Such would appear to be appropriate goals in the present case".

The New York Times

But the system also has to be appropriate for the 21st century.

The Guardian

However, the Law Society thinks its message of caution continues to be appropriate.

The Guardian

"They want to make sure that what they're going to buy is going to be appropriate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be appropriate", consider the specific context to ensure the phrase accurately conveys the intended level of suitability, relevance, or correctness.

Common error

In casual conversation, simpler words like "fit" or "okay" might sound more natural than "to be appropriate". Choose vocabulary that matches your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be appropriate" functions as an infinitive phrase, often used as a predicate adjective to describe a subject's suitability for a specific context or purpose. Ludwig's examples show its use in diverse scenarios, indicating a broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

48%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be appropriate" is a versatile and grammatically sound infinitive phrase used to convey suitability or relevance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and highlights its frequent use across diverse contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "to be suitable" or "to be fitting" exist, "to be appropriate" maintains a broad applicability, though careful consideration of context is advised to avoid overuse in extremely informal situations. By understanding its function and communicative purpose, writers can effectively employ "to be appropriate" to express the alignment of something with specific requirements or expectations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be suitable

Replaces "appropriate" with "suitable", maintaining a similar sense of fitting well in a situation.

to be fitting

Substitutes "appropriate" with "fitting", suggesting a sense of being well-matched or harmonious.

to be proper

Replaces "appropriate" with "proper", emphasizing adherence to standards or etiquette.

to be apt

Uses "apt" in place of "appropriate", conveying a sense of being particularly well-suited or relevant.

to be pertinent

Emphasizes the relevance of something by using "pertinent" instead of "appropriate".

to be relevant

Focuses on the direct connection or importance of something using "relevant" instead of "appropriate".

to be applicable

Highlights the applicability of something, suggesting it can be effectively applied to a specific situation.

to be acceptable

Replaces "appropriate" with "acceptable", indicating something meets a minimum standard of approval.

to be advisable

Suggests that a course of action is recommended or wise, rather than just suitable.

to be justified

Indicates that there's a valid reason or excuse for something, adding a layer of rationale beyond mere suitability.

FAQs

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

Use "to be appropriate" to describe something suitable or fitting for a particular situation. For instance, "The attire needs "to be appropriate" for a formal event".

What's a more formal way to say "to be appropriate"?

More formal alternatives include "to be fitting" or "to be suitable", which convey a similar meaning with a slightly elevated tone.

When is it not suitable to use the phrase "to be appropriate"?

While generally versatile, avoid using "to be appropriate" when simpler terms like "to be okay" or "to be fine" are more natural in very informal settings.

Is there a difference between "to be appropriate" and "to be adequate"?

Yes, ""to be appropriate"" suggests something is particularly well-suited, while "to be adequate" means it is just sufficient or acceptable. Appropriateness implies a higher degree of suitability.