to be born

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be born" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of coming into existence or being brought into life. Example: "She was excited to learn that she would soon be a mother, and she couldn't wait for her child to be born."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She seemed to be born into greatness.

Independent

You did not ask to be born.

The New Yorker

They wanted you to be born there?

The New Yorker

You have to be born into it.

The New York Times

"You have to be born there".

The New York Times - Magazine

And continue to be born.

The New York Times - Sports

Jeremy Corbyn had yet to be born.

The Guardian - Opinion

I never asked to be born.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I felt mine had to be born".

The Guardian - Film

Other fetuses live to be born.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I strongly prefer that to being born".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the future, consider if using "is about to be born" or "is going to be born" more clearly conveys the intended timing.

Common error

Avoid using "to be born" when an active voice is more appropriate. For example, instead of "Ideas need to be born", consider "Ideas need to emerge" if you want to emphasize the idea's action rather than a passive reception of birth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be born" primarily functions as an infinitive phrase often used in the passive voice. It describes the state of coming into existence or being brought into life, as seen in Ludwig's examples like "She seemed "to be born" into greatness."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be born" is a grammatically sound and frequently used infinitive phrase that denotes the commencement of life or existence. Ludwig confirms its wide applicability across various contexts, primarily in news and media, but also in formal, business, and scientific settings. While versatile, ensure proper context to clarify literal versus metaphorical implications. Ludwig AI analysis indicates correct usage, and suggests related phrases such as "to come into existence", "to enter the world" and "to originate" can be used as alternatives depending on the specific nuances you want to convey. Overall, "to be born" is a valuable phrase for describing beginnings and origins.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to come into existence

Focuses on the commencement of being, emphasizing the start of something's existence.

to commence life

Specifically refers to the start of a life, emphasizing the beginning of living.

to enter the world

Highlights the act of arriving into the environment of Earth, particularly for living beings.

to take birth

A more formal or literary way to describe the act of being born.

to see the light of day

Emphasizes the experience of first encountering the world, often used metaphorically.

to originate

Stresses the point from which something begins or arises.

to be created

Indicates that something is brought into being through an act of creation.

to arise

Suggests the beginning of something, often spontaneously or unexpectedly.

to emerge

Focuses on the process of coming out of something, like a hidden state or a womb.

to be brought into being

Emphasizes an external force causing something to exist.

FAQs

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

The phrase "to be born" is used to describe the act of coming into existence. For example, you might say, "She was lucky "to be born" into a wealthy family" or "The idea seemed "to be born" out of necessity".

What are some alternatives to "to be born"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "to come into existence", "to enter the world", or "to originate". Each carries a slightly different nuance.

Is it correct to say "was borned" instead of "was born"?

No, "was borned" is not correct. The correct passive form of "bear" in this context is "was born". "Born" is the past participle of "bear" when referring to birth.

What is the difference between "born" and "borne"?

"Born" is used specifically in reference to birth. "Borne" is the past participle of "bear" in other contexts, such as "The responsibility was "borne" by the team" or "The seeds were "borne" on the wind".