to be done

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be done" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an action that needs to be completed or that someone is expected to do. For example: "The report needs to be done by Friday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

More needs to be done.

The New York Times

What was to be done?

The New York Times

I wanted to be done.

The New York Times

Much remains to be done.

The New York Times

Never to be done again".

The New York Times - Sports

"Something needs to be done".

The New York Times

So what's to be done?

The New York Times

More has to be done.

Independent

Something had to be done.

The New York Times - Sports

"There's work to be done.

The New York Times

It's got to be done.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be done" to clearly indicate actions that are pending or necessary. This phrase is versatile and fits well in various contexts from formal reports to casual conversations.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "to be done" in passive constructions. Reword sentences to use active voice when possible for more direct and engaging writing. For example, instead of "The report needs to be done by Friday", consider "Please complete the report by Friday".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be done" functions as an infinitive phrase, indicating an action that is pending or required. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It often appears in sentences expressing necessity or obligation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be done" is a grammatically sound and versatile infinitive phrase used to indicate actions that are pending or required. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it's essential to avoid overusing it in passive constructions and to opt for active voice when appropriate for clearer and more direct writing. Consider alternatives like "needs to be completed" or "remains to be completed" to add nuance and variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

needs to be completed

Focuses on the necessity of finishing a task.

remains to be completed

Highlights the unfinished state and the need for completion.

must be accomplished

Emphasizes the importance of achieving a goal.

is required

Stresses the obligatory nature of the action.

should be executed

Indicates a recommended or planned action.

has to be carried out

Highlights the process of performing a task.

is pending completion

Focuses on the action's current state of being unfinished.

is yet to occur

Emphasizes that something has not happened yet.

awaits fulfillment

Implies anticipation or expectation of completion.

is scheduled for completion

Indicates a planned timeline for the action.

FAQs

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

You can use "to be done" to indicate something that needs to be completed or accomplished. For instance, "The project needs "to be done" by next week", or "There is still much "to be done" to improve the system".

What's the difference between "to be done" and "to do"?

"To be done" implies that an action is incomplete and requires completion, whereas "to do" generally refers to tasks that need to be carried out. For example, "The dishes are "to be done"" indicates the dishes need washing, while "I have a lot "to do"" refers to various tasks I need to complete.

What are some alternatives to "to be done"?

Some alternatives include "needs to be completed", "remains to be completed", or "must be accomplished", depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "to be done"?

While "to be done" is often used in passive constructions, using active voice can sometimes make your writing more direct and engaging. However, passive voice is appropriate when the action is more important than the actor. For example, instead of saying "The report needs "to be done" by Friday", you could say "Please complete the report by Friday", which is more active and direct.