to be dried

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be dried" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the process of something being dried, typically in contexts involving food, laundry, or other materials that require drying. Example: "The herbs need to be dried before they can be stored for later use."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After the rain stopped, the seats had to be dried.

The New York Times - Arts

Papers that are wet have to be dried.

The New York Times

The bins are loaded onto semitrailers and hauled away to be dried for preservation.

The New York Times - Health

The agent wanted to investigate what appeared to be dried shrubbery.

The New York Times

Many untapped points of intervention could be used to discourage the growing frequency of wash cycles needing to be dried.

The Guardian

In a few days, it will be finished, and stuck in a kiln to be dried and fired.

Independent

He looked after the plants, using pesticides that made him ill, and only left the flat when he helped transport the leaves to be dried elsewhere.

The Guardian

The rain has stopped and the umpire is asking for the lines to be dried, so - fingers crossed - we will be under way in a couple of minutes.

The Guardian - Sport

The farmers share the huge drying machine, housed in a barn, where the herbs have to be dried within half-an-hour of being harvested.

The Guardian

A few weeks before Rainey died, he had informed a guard that there appeared to be dried excrement on a Koran that Rainey owned.

The New Yorker

The tender strands of beery pulled pork, meanwhile, don't deserve to be dried out on a top of a load of crisps.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process, use "to be dried" to clearly indicate that something requires or is undergoing drying. For instance, "The laundry needs "to be dried" before folding".

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "to be dried" with similar phrases like "to be drained" or "to be dehydrated". Ensure the specific term accurately reflects the process and intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be dried" functions primarily as an infinitive phrase, often used as part of a passive construction. It indicates that the subject is undergoing the process of drying, as seen in the Ludwig examples like "the herbs have to be dried" or "the lines to be dried". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

40%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be dried" is a versatile and correct infinitive phrase, commonly used to describe the necessity or process of moisture removal. As Ludwig highlights, it is frequently found across diverse contexts including News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. When using the phrase, consider its implications in relation to similar concepts such as "dehydration" or "seasoning", and be mindful of subject-verb agreement. By understanding its grammatical function and typical applications, you can confidently incorporate "to be dried" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to become dried

Highlights the transition into a dry state.

to be desiccated

Refers to a more thorough drying process, often implying complete removal of moisture.

to be dehydrated

Specifically implies removing water, often in a food preservation context.

to be air-dried

Specifies a drying method using air exposure.

to be kiln-dried

Specifies a drying method using a kiln.

to be seasoned

Implies drying wood to make it suitable for construction.

to be cured

Describes preserving food by drying, salting or smoking.

to be dewatered

Describes the process of removing water, often in industrial contexts.

to be wiped

Suggests removing moisture from a surface by wiping.

to be drained

Suggests removing excess liquid.

FAQs

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

You can use "to be dried" to describe something that needs drying, like "The clothes need "to be dried" before they can be folded", or to describe a characteristic, as in "This type of seaweed is often "to be dried" for consumption".

What's the difference between "to be dried" and "to be dehydrated"?

"To be dried" is a general term for removing moisture. "To be dehydrated" implies a more thorough removal of water, often applied to food for preservation. So, while all dehydrated things are dried, not all dried things are necessarily dehydrated. See also "to be dehydrated".

What are some alternatives to saying "to be dried"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "to become dried", "to be air-dried", or "to be desiccated". The best choice depends on the level of dryness and the method used.

Is it correct to say "needs to be dried" instead of "need to be dried"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "needs to be dried" with singular subjects (e.g., "The shirt needs "to be dried"") and "need to be dried" with plural subjects (e.g., "The shirts need "to be dried"").