to be disappeared

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be disappeared" is not correct in standard English usage.
The correct form would typically be "to disappear" or "to be disappeared" in a passive sense, but the latter is rarely used. Example: "The magician made the rabbit to disappear from the hat."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

He himself becomes one of the many to be disappeared, transported to a labour camp in the freezing north.

The Guardian - Books

The myth of blackness as soot, as stain, as something to be disappeared by virtue of a European product was especially appealing to colonialists.

The New Yorker

Hold tight to us, because mass incarceration is actually going to get worse, and more of our brothers and sisters are going to be disappeared.

The Guardian - Opinion

While his work is still tied to the mean streets of South Central, where his studio is currently located, Bradford has refined his interest in what it feels like to be disappeared by the culture at large.

The New Yorker

One of the Belfast Project tapes contained allegations from the late Belfast IRA commander and former hunger striker Brendan Hughes that it was Gerry Adams, the Sinn Féin president, who gave the order for McConville to be "disappeared" to avoid any negative fallout from publicly admitting republicans had killed her.

The Guardian

Sharif Mobley, 30, whose lawyers consider him to be disappeared, managed to call his wife in Philadelphia on Thursday, the first time they had spoken since February and a rare independent proof he is alive since a brief phone call with his mother in July.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

3. Power hitters seem to be disappearing.

The New York Times

Huntsman sounded good but somehow seems to be disappearing.

The Economist

He seems to be disappearing before our eyes.

The New York Times - Arts

Flights seem to be disappearing by the day.

The New York Times

Whatever its causes, the Bradley gap seems to be disappearing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the standard verb form "to disappear" instead of the grammatically incorrect "to be disappeared" to convey the intended meaning effectively and avoid confusion.

Common error

Do not use "to be disappeared" when intending to describe a general action. It's grammatically unconventional. Use "to disappear" instead. The passive form "to be disappeared" is rarely used and can sound awkward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be disappeared" is generally used as an infinitive verb phrase. However, it's considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig AI also points out, the standard verb form "to disappear" is preferred.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56.25%

Science

43.75%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "to be disappeared" appears in various contexts, particularly in news and media, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The standard and preferred form is "to disappear". As Ludwig AI suggests, it's best to avoid "to be disappeared" in formal writing. Related phrases such as "to vanish" or "to go missing" provide grammatically sound alternatives. Despite its common occurrence, adhering to standard grammar conventions ensures clarity and avoids potential misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to disappear

More standard grammatical construction for expressing the act of vanishing.

to vanish

A simple and direct synonym implying sudden disappearance.

to go missing

Focuses on the state of being lost or unaccounted for.

to be removed

Highlights the action of taking something or someone away.

to be eliminated

Emphasizes complete removal or eradication.

to be eradicated

Suggests the complete wiping out of something.

to be no more

A more poetic way of saying something has ceased to exist.

to cease to exist

A formal way of expressing the end of existence.

to fade away

Suggests a gradual disappearance.

to pass from the scene

Implies a departure or disappearance from a particular context.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "to be disappeared"?

The correct and more common way is "to disappear". The phrase "to be disappeared" is grammatically incorrect and rarely used.

What does it mean for someone to disappear?

When someone disappears, it means they vanish or become missing, often without a trace or explanation. It can imply either a voluntary or involuntary disappearance.

Which is correct, "to be disappeared" or "to disappear"?

"To disappear" is the correct and commonly used phrase. "To be disappeared" is generally considered grammatically incorrect.

Are there any situations where "to be disappeared" might be acceptable?

While generally incorrect, "to be disappeared" might appear in specific contexts, often in non-standard or creative writing, but it's advisable to avoid it in formal writing. Standard usage dictates using "to disappear".