to be defined

USAGE SUMMARY

'to be defined' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to specify that something has not yet been concretely determined. For example, "The exact date for the launch of the product has yet to be defined."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact 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

Why though, should people feel the need to be defined?

The Guardian - Opinion

He didn't want to be defined by it.

The Guardian - Sport

"It just doesn't have to be defined today".

The New York Times - Sports

Our culture has come to be defined by adrenaline.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The world is an appetite waiting to be defined.

The New Yorker

I tried never to be defined by my past.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be defined" when indicating that a term, concept, or plan requires further development or clarification before it can be fully understood or implemented.

Common error

Avoid using "to be defined" as a placeholder in final documents. Replace it with the actual definition or a more specific description to ensure clarity and completeness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be defined" functions as an infinitive phrase, often used as a postmodifier. According to Ludwig AI, it's correct and indicates that a term, concept, or process requires further clarification or specification. It points to something needing establishment or resolution.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be defined" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to indicate that something requires further clarification or specification. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for a range of contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the definition or clarification is provided subsequently to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as ""to be determined"" or ""to be clarified"" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context. Remember to avoid overusing it as a placeholder in final documents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be determined

Replaces "defined" with a synonym, focusing on the act of finding something out.

to be clarified

Emphasizes the need for making something clearer and more understandable.

to be specified

Highlights the need for providing detailed information or requirements.

to be established

Focuses on the act of setting up or creating something definitively.

to be ascertained

Stresses the need for discovering something with certainty through investigation.

to be resolved

Implies that an issue or question needs to be settled or decided.

to be finalized

Suggests the need for completing the last steps to make something official.

to be outlined

Indicates that something needs to be presented in a structured and organized manner.

to be formulated

Focuses on the act of creating a plan or strategy.

to be understood

Highlights the need for a concept or situation to be fully comprehended.

FAQs

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

Use "to be defined" to indicate that a specific aspect, term, or condition needs further clarification or specification. For example, "The scope of the project is "yet to be defined"".

What are some alternatives to "to be defined"?

Alternatives include "to be determined", "to be clarified", or "to be specified" depending on the context. Each emphasizes a slightly different aspect of the need for further information.

Is it appropriate to use "to be defined" in formal writing?

Yes, "to be defined" is appropriate in formal writing when used to indicate that a term or concept requires further clarification. However, ensure that the definition is provided later in the document or context.

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

"To be defined" implies that the characteristics or meaning of something need to be established, whereas ""to be determined"" suggests that a decision or outcome is yet to be decided. The choice depends on whether you are establishing a definition or awaiting a decision.