to be drained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be drained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of exhaustion or depletion, either physically or emotionally. Example: "After a long day at work, I felt completely drained and needed to rest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The poisons have yet to be drained.

The New York Times

I'm just going to be drained as a person.

Independent

It had to be drained every two weeks for months.

The New York Times

Guys are going to be sick, going to be drained.

The New York Times - Sports

But, either way, the wounds need to be drained".

The New Yorker

Large weapons may need to be drained of their chemical agents before they are destroyed.

The New York Times

During that period, swampy lands in the region began to be drained for development.

The Economist

The gas has to be drained; batteries have to be disconnected.

The New York Times

The River Project's tanks needed to be drained and emptied for winter.

The New Yorker

There was a great reservoir of confidence to be drained from an entertaining Upton Park team.

The Guardian - Sport

Then the knee filled with fluid and had to be drained twice.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be drained" to describe a person's state, ensure the context clearly indicates whether you mean physical exhaustion, emotional depletion, or both.

Common error

Avoid using "to be drained" when a more specific term would be appropriate. For instance, instead of saying "the account was to be drained", consider "the account was to be emptied" if you mean all funds were removed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be drained" primarily functions as a passive infinitive verb phrase. This construction is used to indicate that the subject of the sentence is receiving the action of being emptied or depleted. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Social Media

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be drained" is a versatile and grammatically sound passive infinitive verb phrase. Ludwig AI's analysis highlights its frequent use across diverse fields, from news and scientific publications to general reference materials. Its neutral tone and common occurrence make it suitable for both formal and informal contexts, describing either a physical process of emptying or a metaphorical state of depletion. As such, understanding the nuances of when and how to use this phrase ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be depleted

Emphasizes the reduction of resources or energy to a significant extent.

to be exhausted

Focuses on the feeling of extreme tiredness or fatigue.

to be emptied

Highlights the act of making something completely devoid of contents.

to be cleared out

Suggests the removal of obstructions or unwanted elements.

to be evacuated

Implies the removal of contents or people from a dangerous area.

to be sapped

Focuses on the gradual reduction of strength or vitality.

to be extracted

Highlights the process of drawing something out from a source.

to be siphoned

Suggests the careful drawing off of liquid or resources.

to be unloaded

Emphasizes the removal of a burden or load.

to be purged

Implies the removal of something harmful or undesirable.

FAQs

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

You can use "to be drained" to describe something being emptied or someone feeling exhausted. For example, "The pool needs to be drained" or "After the marathon, I felt completely drained".

What's the difference between "to be drained" and "to be exhausted"?

"To be drained" can refer to physical resources being emptied or someone feeling depleted of energy, while "to be exhausted" primarily focuses on extreme tiredness. The nuances of your desired meaning guide your choice.

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to be depleted", "to be emptied", or "to be exhausted".

When is it appropriate to use "to be drained" in formal writing?

It is appropriate in formal writing when describing the removal of liquid or resources from a container or system, or when expressing a state of exhaustion in a professional or academic context.