to be freed

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be freed" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where someone or something is being released from captivity or restraint. Example: "The prisoners were finally to be freed after years of confinement." Alternative expressions include "to be released" and "to be liberated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Paul Pogba needs to be freed.

The Guardian - Sport

He is unlikely to be freed soon.

The Guardian

He is due to be freed within weeks.

Independent

They also want universities to be freed from government meddling.

The Economist

Now, however, Mr South was in court to be freed.

The Economist

So you, too, are eager to be freed.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

We want to be free".

The Economist

The right to be free?

The New Yorker

I want to be free.

The New York Times

Inclusion used to be free.

The New York Times

You want to be free.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be freed" when you want to emphasize the passive aspect of being released or liberated from some form of constraint. For example, "The hostages were expected to be freed soon."

Common error

Avoid using "free" instead of "freed" in passive constructions. "To be free" implies a state of being, while "to be freed" indicates an action being done to someone or something. For instance, say "The bird is to be freed from its cage", not "The bird is to be free from its cage."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be freed" functions primarily as part of a passive infinitive construction. It indicates that the subject of the sentence is receiving the action of being released or liberated. Ludwig shows its prevalence in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be freed" is a commonly used passive infinitive construction that conveys the action of being released or liberated. As shown by Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts, from news reports to scientific articles. The phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for neutral to formal registers. When writing, remember that "to be freed" implies an action being done to someone or something, distinguishing it from "to be free", which describes a state of being.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be liberated

Implies a more active process of being set free, often from oppression or control.

to be released

Suggests a more formal or official act of setting someone or something free, often from confinement.

to be discharged

Often used in legal or medical contexts to indicate the termination of an obligation or condition.

to be emancipated

Specifically refers to being freed from legal, social, or political restrictions, historically from slavery.

to be unshackled

Emphasizes the removal of constraints or impediments, both physically and metaphorically.

to gain freedom

Focuses on the act of achieving liberty or independence.

to break free

Suggests an active effort to escape from confinement or control.

to be unbound

Emphasizes the removal of physical or metaphorical bonds.

to be unrestrained

Highlights the absence of limitations or restrictions.

to be set at liberty

A more formal and emphatic way of saying to be freed.

FAQs

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

"To be freed" is used in passive voice constructions to indicate that someone or something is going to be released or liberated. For example, "The political prisoners are expected "to be freed" unconditionally".

What is a good alternative to "to be freed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to be released", "to be liberated", or "to be discharged". Choose the word that best fits the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "to be freed" and "to be free"?

"To be freed" implies an action of releasing someone or something from captivity or constraint, whereas "to be free" describes a state of being without constraints. For example, "He hoped "to be freed" from prison" (action), vs. "He longed "to be free"" (state).

Is "to be freed" formal or informal?

"To be freed" is neither strictly formal nor informal; its level of formality depends on the context. It is commonly found in news reports, academic papers, and general discussions, making it suitable for neutral and professional settings.