to be found

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be found" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when a person or thing needs to be located or identified. For example, "The missing children were found to be living in an abandoned house."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Nowhere to be found.

The New York Times

It's there to be found.

Independent

Kermit was nowhere to be found.

The New York Times

Shadow was nowhere to be found.

The New Yorker

Creative spark is nowhere to be found.

The New York Times

There is no milk to be found.

The New York Times

New victims had to be found.

The New York Times - Books

But first they have to be found.

The Economist

They're out there to be found.

The New York Times

Three hours: Granddad nowhere to be found.

The New Yorker

Not a sell to be found.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be found" when indicating that something is capable of being located or discovered, whether physically or metaphorically. For instance, "Solutions to the problem are to be found in careful analysis".

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive construction with "to be found" if it obscures the actor or makes the sentence unnecessarily wordy. Instead of "The error was to be found by the auditor", consider "The auditor was to find the error" if appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be found" functions primarily as part of an infinitive construction, often in passive voice, indicating the potential or necessity for something to be located or discovered. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its versatility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be found" is a versatile infinitive construction commonly used to express the potential or necessity of locating or discovering something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable in various contexts. The phrase sees frequent use in news and media, as well as wiki articles, indicating its broad applicability. When writing, aim for clarity and avoid overly passive constructions. Consider alternatives like "to be located" or "to be discovered" to fine-tune the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be located

Focuses specifically on the act of identifying the physical location of something.

to be discovered

Emphasizes the act of uncovering something previously unknown or hidden.

to be detected

Highlights the process of noticing or becoming aware of something, often through specific methods or tools.

to be identified

Stresses the act of recognizing or establishing the identity of something.

to be uncovered

Suggests the removal of a covering or concealment to reveal something.

to be ascertained

Implies a more formal or thorough investigation to establish something definitively.

to be revealed

Conveys the idea of something becoming known or visible, often unexpectedly.

to be unearthed

Suggests digging up or discovering something from the earth or from obscurity.

to be extant

Implies something existing, especially in a physical sense, but in a more formal register.

to be available

Highlights the condition of being accessible or ready for use.

FAQs

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

You can use "to be found" to express that something can be located or discovered. For example, "The answer is "to be found" in the data" or "Happiness is "to be found" in simple things".

What phrases are similar to "to be found"?

Similar phrases include "to be located", "to be discovered", or "to be identified", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "can be found" instead of "to be found"?

Both "can be found" and "to be found" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different implications. "Can be found" emphasizes possibility or ability, while "to be found" often implies a requirement or expectation. For instance, "The solution can be found online" versus "The missing document is "to be found" in the archives".

What's the difference between "nowhere to be found" and "not to be found"?

"Nowhere "to be found"" means something is completely absent or cannot be located at all, whereas "not "to be found"" simply indicates that something has not been located yet or is missing from a specific place. The former expresses a stronger sense of absence.