to be define

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be define" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has yet to be defined or clarified. For example, "The exact scope of the project is yet to be define."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Much remains to be defined.

The New Yorker

"I want to be defined by consistency.

The New York Times - Sports

Terms need to be defined first.

The Guardian

But some stars refuse to be defined.

The New York Times - Tech

Beyond that, it remains to be defined.

The New York Times

The exact treatment needs to be defined.

Nature

They do not want to be defined.

The Guardian - Books

I want to be defined by what I am for.

The Guardian

But I think her legacy is yet to be defined".

The New York Times

The world is an appetite waiting to be defined.

The New Yorker

How is extremism actually going to be defined?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "to be define", ensure it fits the grammatical structure of your sentence. It often requires a preceding auxiliary verb, such as 'is', 'needs', or 'has'.

Common error

Avoid using "to be define" when the context requires the past participle form, "to be defined". The latter is grammatically correct and more widely accepted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be define" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically requiring a preceding auxiliary verb to form a complete clause. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically questionable, with the more suitable form being "to be defined".

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be define" is an infinitive construction that expresses the need for something to be clarified or explained. While the Ludwig AI considers it grammatically questionable, the corrected form, "to be defined", is widely accepted and can be used across various registers. It's crucial to ensure the phrase fits the grammatical structure, often requiring auxiliary verbs like 'is', 'needs', or 'has'. When in doubt, consider using alternatives like "to be determined" or "to be specified" for increased clarity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be defined

Uses the correct past participle form of the verb "define".

to be determined

Emphasizes the act of finding something out, rather than setting its definition.

to be established

Focuses on setting up or creating something, rather than strictly defining it.

to be identified

Highlights the act of recognizing or pinpointing something.

to be delineated

Implies a clear outlining or marking of boundaries.

to be specified

Suggests giving explicit details or instructions.

to be articulated

Stresses the clear and expressive statement of something.

to be clarified

Indicates the need to make something easier to understand.

to be explained

Highlights the need to make something understandable.

to be resolved

Implies the act of finding a solution or settling a question.

FAQs

How to use "to be define" in a sentence?

While grammatically questionable, "to be define" can be used in specific contexts where an action needs clarification. However, it's often better to use "to be defined" for grammatical correctness.

What can I say instead of "to be define"?

You can use alternatives like "to be determined", "to be specified", or "to be clarified" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "to be define" or "to be defined"?

"To be defined" is the grammatically correct form. "To be define" is less common and might be considered incorrect in formal writing. Prefer "to be defined".

What's the difference between "to be define" and "to be defined"?

"To be defined" is the passive infinitive form, indicating something that needs to be clarified or explained. "To be define" uses the base form, and is nonstandard. In most cases, "to be defined" is the preferred choice.