to be excellent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be excellent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing qualities, standards, or aspirations related to excellence in various contexts, such as personal goals or organizational objectives. Example: "Our aim is to be excellent in customer service, ensuring that every client feels valued and satisfied."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The cast looks to be excellent.

The New York Times - Arts

They continue to be excellent.

The Guardian - Sport

It's going to be excellent.

Cornell University

I want this blog to be excellent.

The Guardian

Water visibility is reputed to be excellent.

The Guardian - Travel

I expect him to be excellent.

The Guardian - Sport

They seem to be excellent workers".

The Guardian

Long-term results continue to be excellent.

Journal of Pediatric Surgery

I find these wines often to be excellent values.

The New York Times - Food

They're proving to be excellent models to study stomach illness.

The Washington Post

"They are going to be excellent markets for us".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be excellent" to set aspirational goals for projects or teams, emphasizing the importance of high-quality outcomes. For instance, "Our objective is to be excellent in customer satisfaction."

Common error

Avoid using "to be excellent" in passive voice constructions, as it can weaken the impact. Instead of saying, "The project is expected to be excellent," try "We expect the project to be excellent" for a more direct and assertive statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be excellent" functions primarily as an infinitive phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it is often used to express a goal, aspiration, or expectation. Examples from Ludwig show it modifying nouns or acting as a predicate complement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to be excellent" is a common and grammatically correct infinitive phrase used to express the desire for high quality or performance. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability across various contexts, primarily in news, science, and academia. While versatile, overuse in passive constructions should be avoided for stronger impact. Several alternatives, such as "to achieve excellence" and "to strive for excellence", offer nuanced variations for specific communication needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to achieve excellence

Focuses on the act of attaining a high level of quality.

to strive for excellence

Emphasizes the effort and dedication involved in pursuing high quality.

to pursue excellence

Similar to "strive for excellence", but suggests a more active and determined approach.

to aim for excellence

Highlights the setting of a high goal or target.

to aspire to excellence

Implies a strong desire or ambition to reach a high standard.

to become exceptional

Shifts the focus from quality to being extraordinary or unusual.

to attain distinction

Suggests achieving recognition or fame through high quality.

to reach perfection

Represents the highest possible standard, often considered unattainable.

to set the gold standard

Implies establishing the highest benchmark for quality or performance.

to outshine all others

Focuses on surpassing competitors or peers in terms of quality.

FAQs

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

You can use "to be excellent" to express a desire or expectation for high quality or performance. For example, "The goal is "to be excellent" in all areas of service."

What are some alternatives to "to be excellent"?

Alternatives include "to achieve excellence", "to strive for excellence", or "to pursue excellence", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "to be excellent" or "to achieve excellence"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they carry slightly different meanings. "To be excellent" describes a state of being, while "to achieve excellence" focuses on the process of attaining that state. Choose the phrase that best fits the context.

In what contexts is "to be excellent" most appropriate?

"To be excellent" is appropriate in various contexts, including setting goals, expressing expectations, and describing desired qualities. It is commonly used in both formal and informal settings.