to be building

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be building" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action or a future intention related to construction or development. Example: "We are excited to announce that we are to be building a new community center next year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We happen to be building spaceships.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, Woods appears to be building momentum.

The New York Times - Sports

I ought to be building subways".

The New York Times - Books

"We're not going to be building in Albuquerque," he said.

The New York Times

"We're going to be building a lot of something".

The New York Times

Nonetheless, momentum toward some solution appears to be building.

The New York Times

Adult interest in the series appears to be building.

The New York Times - Tech

The key seems to be building a loyal constituency.

The New York Times - Arts

"They seem to be building a commerce platform by stealth.

The Guardian - Tech

"We're all supposed to be building a culture," Weiner said.

The New Yorker

Now, at Fiery Cross Reef, it appears to be building a 3km-long airstrip.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be building" to describe ongoing construction or development projects, both literal and figurative. For instance, "The company is to be building a new headquarters" or "We need to be building stronger relationships with our clients."

Common error

Avoid using "to be building" when a simpler tense is more appropriate. For example, instead of "The plan is to be building a wall", consider "The plan is to build a wall" for a more concise statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be building" functions as part of an infinitive phrase, often used in conjunction with auxiliary verbs (like "is", "are", "going to") to express a future or ongoing action. As Ludwig AI also highlights, it describes an action in progress or a planned activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be building" is a grammatically sound and frequently used infinitive phrase that serves to express ongoing or planned construction, development, or creation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable expression. Its prevalence in news and media indicates its widespread applicability, while its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts. While alternatives like "to be constructing" or "to be developing" exist, "to be building" effectively conveys a sense of progress and intentional action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be constructing

Focuses more directly on the act of physically building something, emphasizing the construction aspect.

to be developing

Implies a broader sense of growth or advancement, not necessarily limited to physical construction.

to be creating

Emphasizes the act of bringing something new into existence, which can be more abstract than building.

to be assembling

Suggests putting together pre-made components to form a final structure or product.

to be fabricating

Highlights the process of manufacturing or inventing something, often with a technical connotation.

to be erecting

Implies a more formal or monumental type of building or construction.

to be establishing

Focuses on setting up or founding something, often an organization or system.

to be forming

Suggests the initial stages of creation or development, where something is taking shape.

to be manufacturing

Highlights the large-scale production of goods, usually in a factory setting.

to be engineering

Focuses on the design and technical aspects of building or creating something.

FAQs

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

You can use "to be building" to indicate a future or planned construction or development. For example, "The city is "going to be building" a new bridge next year" or "We need "to start building" a stronger foundation for our company."

What are some alternatives to "to be building"?

Some alternatives include "to be constructing", "to be developing", or "to be creating", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "to be build" instead of "to be building"?

No, "to be build" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form to use in the continuous/progressive tense is "to be building", which uses the present participle form of the verb.

What is the difference between "to build" and "to be building"?

"To build" refers to the infinitive form of the verb, indicating a general action or purpose. "To be building" suggests an ongoing or future continuous action of construction or development. For example, "Our goal is "to build" a better future" versus "We are committed "to be building" a sustainable community".