to be fed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be fed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone or something needs food or sustenance, such as in this example sentence: "The baby always needs to be fed right before bedtime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He starts howling to be fed.

The New York Times

And so they need to be fed.

The New York Times - Arts

But the machine needs to be fed.

The New York Times

They need to be fed.

The New Yorker

The receivers all want to be fed.

The New York Times - Sports

Also, animals that needed to be fed.

The New Yorker

The beast has to be fed.

The Guardian

They don't want to be fed.

The Guardian

Ducks, pigeons, seagulls, all jostling to be fed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He had to be fed through a tube.

The New York Times

It's a beast that needs to be fed".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "to be fed" in the context of information, consider whether "to be given" or "to receive" might be more appropriate to avoid sounding overly simplistic.

Common error

Ensure that when you use "to be fed", it's clear who or what is doing the feeding. The passive voice can sometimes obscure the agent, leading to ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be fed" functions as a passive infinitive, indicating the state of receiving nourishment or sustenance. As Ludwig AI confirms, the construction is grammatically sound. It often appears in contexts where the recipient of the feeding action is emphasized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be fed" is a grammatically sound and very common passive infinitive that describes the state of receiving nourishment or sustenance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used across various contexts, including news media, scientific publications, and general writing. While its register is generally neutral, it can range from informal to formal depending on the specific context. When using the phrase, ensure clarity about who or what is doing the feeding and consider alternatives like "to be nourished" or "to be provided for" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to require feeding

Directly states the need for feeding, emphasizing the dependency on external provision.

to be nourished

Highlights the act of being nurtured and sustained, often implying a focus on health and well-being.

to receive nourishment

Focuses on the act of receiving nourishment, implying a more passive role.

to need sustenance

States the necessity of sustenance for survival or function.

to get sustenance

Focuses on obtaining essential resources for survival or maintenance.

to be sustained

Suggests ongoing support to maintain a certain condition or state.

to be provided for

Emphasizes the aspect of provision, suggesting care and support beyond just food.

to have sustenance provided

Highlights that sustenance has been given or delivered to maintain or keep alive.

to be catered for

Highlights the act of having one's needs met, often in a more elaborate or specific way.

to be supplied with nutrients

Highlights the provisioning of elements for health and growing.

FAQs

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

You can use "to be fed" when describing someone or something that requires food or other forms of sustenance. For example, "The plants need "to be fed" regularly to thrive."

What are some alternatives to "to be fed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to be nourished", "to be provided for", or "to receive sustenance".

Is it correct to say "to be feed" instead of "to be fed"?

No, "to be feed" is grammatically incorrect. The past participle of 'feed' is 'fed', so the correct form is ""to be fed"".

What's the difference between "to be fed" and "to feed"?

"To feed" is an active infinitive, meaning to give food to someone or something. "To be fed" is a passive infinitive, meaning to receive food.