to be defeated

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be defeated" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone or something has been overwhelmed, outdone, or conquered by something else. For example: "The team was determined not to be defeated, but in the end, they lost the match."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We're not going to be defeated.

The New York Times

It has to be defeated".

The Guardian

Defiant, not to be defeated.

The Guardian - Sport

They need to be defeated".

The New Yorker

They have to be defeated".

The Guardian

Assad never was going to be defeated.

The Guardian - Opinion

I was not to be defeated.

The Guardian - Books

You are about to be defeated'".

The Guardian

"He did not want to be defeated," Green said.

The New York Times - Sports

No one expects the insurgency to be defeated by then.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I see her as being ripe to be defeated".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be defeated" to clearly express the concept of losing or being overcome, ensuring the context aligns with the passive voice construction. For example, use this phrase when you want to emphasize what or who was defeated rather than who did the defeating.

Common error

Avoid using "to be defeated" when an active voice construction is more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "The enemy was to be defeated by our forces", consider "Our forces defeated the enemy" for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be defeated" functions primarily as a passive infinitive verb phrase. It describes a state or potential outcome where someone or something undergoes defeat. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be defeated" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive infinitive verb phrase that describes a state of losing or being overcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is widespread across various contexts, especially in news, encyclopedias, and scientific writing. While versatile, it's crucial to consider whether an active voice construction might be more appropriate for a direct and impactful message. Understanding this nuance and the available alternatives will help ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be overcome

Focuses on the action of being surpassed or overwhelmed, rather than just losing.

to be conquered

Implies a more forceful and complete subjugation.

to be vanquished

Suggests a decisive and often heroic defeat.

to be bested

Indicates being outdone or surpassed in a competition or contest.

to be subjugated

Emphasizes being brought under control or domination.

to be overthrown

Implies a removal from power or authority.

to be routed

Suggests a disorderly and complete defeat.

to be trounced

Implies a heavy and decisive defeat.

to meet defeat

More directly states the act of encountering failure or loss.

to suffer defeat

Highlights the negative experience of losing.

FAQs

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

You can use "to be defeated" to describe a state of being overcome or having lost. For example, "The army was expected "to be defeated" if they didn't receive reinforcements."

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

More formal alternatives include "to be vanquished", "to be subjugated", or "to be overcome", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "to be defeated" or "to lose"?

The choice depends on the context. "To lose" is more direct and active, while ""to be defeated"" implies a passive state. Use "to lose" when focusing on the act of losing, and ""to be defeated"" when emphasizing the state of being defeated.

What are some other words with similar meanings to "to be defeated"?

Similar phrases include "to be conquered", "to be overthrown", and "to be routed", each carrying slightly different connotations of the manner of defeat.