to be command

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be command" is not correct in English and does not convey a clear meaning.
It may be intended to express a state of being in command or authority, but as it stands, it lacks grammatical structure. Example: "In order to lead effectively, one must learn to be in command of the situation."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

And now Professor Brand is appealing to Cooper to be mission commander to accompany three other specialists to include his daughter, and to be command pilot.

Huffington Post

Critical Myth rated the episode 8 out of 10, praising the direction the writers took with the episode, Sheppard being rather forced to be command of the city with the incapacitation of Weir, as well as comparing the characters' "chance to prove their meddle through extreme adversity" to "The Siege, Part 2".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

By contrast, commanded love is not spontaneous, and it needs to be commanded precisely because it is not preferential.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I want these people to understand who is going to be commanding them.

The Guardian

They are to form the core of an army ultimately to be commanded by Iraqis.

The New York Times

Nor does one need to be commanded by Beijing officials to do it.

The Guardian - Tech

In Trump's lexicon, love is an expression of loyalty to be commanded from another.

The New Yorker

We are under orders to locate and arrest Udayan Mitra, the soldier who seemed to be commanding the others said.

The New Yorker

He will need to be commanding against West Brom, with Tony Pulis's side likely to pressure Middlesbrough in the air.

The Guardian - Sport

Children do not have to be taught to seek friends; nor, at puberty, do they need to be commanded to fall in love.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To be effective, planning should avoid fragilising the city, and should accompany and take advantage of its spontaneous dynamics ("Nature to be commanded must be obeyed").

City, Territory and Architecture

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "to be command" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "to be in command" or "to be the commander" for clarity and professionalism.

Common error

The phrase "to be command" incorrectly uses a noun ("command") after the infinitive "to be". Remember that "to be" typically requires an adjective (e.g., "to be ready"), a past participle (e.g., "to be commanded"), or to be followed by "in command".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be command" functions as an infinitive phrase but does not conform to standard English grammar. As noted by Ludwig AI, it incorrectly uses a noun (command) where an adjective, a prepositional phrase, or a past participle is expected after the infinitive "to be".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be command" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal English. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase does not follow standard grammar rules. Although it appears in a few contexts, including news articles and wiki entries, its usage is rare and often signals a need for correction. To express the intended meaning of being in a position of authority or control, consider using alternatives such as "to be in command", "to be in charge", or specifying the role directly, like "to be the leader". These alternatives provide clarity and grammatical accuracy, making your communication more effective and professional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be in command

This phrase emphasizes the state of holding authority or leadership, a common interpretation of the user's query.

to be in charge

This phrase indicates responsibility and control over a situation or group.

to be the commander

This specifies the role of commanding, typically in a military or structured context.

to be the leader

This focuses on the act of guiding and directing others.

to be in control

This emphasizes the ability to manage and regulate something.

to have authority

This highlights the possession of power and the right to give orders.

to give commands

This shifts the focus to the action of issuing orders.

to issue directives

This emphasizes the act of providing official instructions or orders.

to be responsible for

This focuses on the obligation to oversee and manage something.

to oversee operations

This highlights the act of supervising and directing activities.

FAQs

What is the correct way to express the idea of holding authority or leadership?

Instead of "to be command", use phrases like "to be in command", "to be in charge", or "to be the leader" for better clarity and grammatical correctness.

Can "to be command" ever be grammatically correct?

No, "to be command" is not grammatically correct. The verb "to be" requires a complement such as an adjective, a noun phrase with a determiner (like "the"), or a prepositional phrase (like "in command").

What are some alternatives to "to be command" in a military context?

In a military context, you can use phrases like "to be the commander", "to command troops", or "to lead the unit" instead of "to be command".

How can I improve my sentence if I mistakenly use "to be command"?

Replace "to be command" with a grammatically correct phrase that accurately conveys your intended meaning. For instance, use "to be in control", "to have authority", or rephrase the sentence to use an active verb like "to command".