to be gone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be gone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something is no longer present or has departed. Example: "By the time I arrived at the party, most of the guests were already to be gone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It's time to be gone".

The New York Times

But those days seem to be gone.

The New York Times

I did not want to be gone.

The New York Times

Those days appear to be gone.

Independent

The big gang seems to be gone.

The New Yorker

"Every page has to be gone through.

The New York Times

Guantánamo was supposed to be gone.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expects to be gone ten months.

The New Yorker

He seemed to be gone.

The New Yorker

"Brandon needs to be gone.

The Guardian

They are just going to be gone".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be gone" to clearly indicate the absence or departure of something or someone, especially when emphasizing a change in state or location.

Common error

Avoid using "to be gone" when an active construction would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "the opportunity is to be gone by tomorrow", write "the opportunity will be gone by tomorrow".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be gone" functions as part of an infinitive construction, often used with auxiliary verbs like 'is', 'was', 'will', 'going', or 'supposed' to describe a future state of absence or a past state of having disappeared. Examples from Ludwig show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to be gone" is a common and grammatically correct infinitive phrase used to denote a state of absence or departure. As evidenced by Ludwig's analysis and numerous examples from reliable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, it appears frequently in news and media contexts. The phrase serves various communicative purposes, from indicating future absence to expressing regret over past disappearances. While the phrase is versatile, writers should be mindful of using more direct active constructions for clarity. Based on this analysis, "to be gone" is a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to have disappeared

Focuses on the act of vanishing or becoming unseen.

to have departed

A more formal way to indicate someone has left.

to be absent

Emphasizes the state of not being present.

to be no more

Conveys a sense of finality or cessation of existence.

to be removed

Indicates that something has been taken away or eliminated.

to be finished

Indicates the completion or termination of something.

to be vacated

Suggests that a place or position is now empty.

to be out of here

An informal way of saying someone is leaving or has left.

to be a thing of the past

Implies that something is no longer relevant or current.

to be extinct

Implies that something no longer exists, especially in a biological context.

FAQs

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

The phrase "to be gone" typically indicates a state of absence or departure. For instance, you might say, "The deadline is expected "to be gone" by the end of the week" or "He wanted "to be gone" before anyone noticed him".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "to be gone"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases such as "to have disappeared", "to be absent", or "to have departed" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "will to be gone" instead of "will be gone"?

While "will "to be gone"" is grammatically understandable, it is less common and can sound awkward. "Will be gone" is generally the preferred and more natural phrasing.

What's the difference between "to be gone" and "to go"?

"To go" refers to the act of moving or departing, whereas "to be gone" indicates the state of being absent or having already departed. For example, "I need "to go" now" means you need to leave, while "I expect "to be gone" for a week" means you expect to be away for that duration.