to be hung

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be hung" is correct in written English, but its usage can be context-dependent.
It is typically used in the context of being executed by hanging or in reference to something being suspended or displayed. Example: "The painting is to be hung in the gallery next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The effect is instant art, ready to be hung.

The New York Times - Tech

The portrait is going to be hung in the Senate.

The New Yorker

It's not going to be hung in a museum.

The New Yorker

First of the 10 to be hung on 16 October.

The Guardian

Scenery needs to be hung and lights focused.

The New York Times

In exchange, James posed for photos to be hung there.

The New York Times - Sports

The illustrations are expected to be hung later this month.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Spineless chair has to be hung on the wall.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She thought we ought to be hung, possibly to keep herself from hanging".

The New York Times

Kakemono, in Japanese art, scroll painting intended to be hung on a wall.

Encyclopedia Britannica

All of the things he's said are going to be hung around his neck".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be hung" in the context of artwork or decorations, ensure the sentence clearly indicates what is being displayed and where. For example, "The painting is to be hung in the gallery."

Common error

A common mistake is using "hung" when "hanged" is the correct past participle for executions. Remember, people are "hanged", while objects are "hung".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be hung" primarily functions as a passive infinitive construction. It indicates that the subject is the recipient of the action of hanging. Ludwig examples showcase its use in contexts ranging from artwork being displayed to capital punishment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Encyclopedias

14%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to be hung" is a common passive construction used to describe something being suspended or displayed, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its grammatical status is correct, with frequent usage in news, encyclopedias, and wiki contexts. However, it's crucial to differentiate between "to be hung" (objects) and "to be hanged" (execution of people). Authority sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this phrase. Ludwig's examples show the versatility of the expression, ranging from describing art displays to somber legal proceedings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be suspended

Focuses on the act of suspending something physically, similar to hanging.

to be displayed

Emphasizes the act of showing or exhibiting something, particularly artwork or decorations.

to be executed by hanging

Specifically refers to execution via hanging, suitable in contexts involving capital punishment.

to be affixed

Highlights the act of attaching something securely, which can include hanging.

to be mounted

Refers to the act of fixing something onto a support, often used for artwork or equipment.

to be fastened

Indicates the action of securing something in place, similar to hanging.

to be dangled

Focuses on the act of suspending something loosely, implying movement.

to be strung up

Implies hanging something using a string or rope.

to be hoisted

Highlights the act of raising something up and hanging it.

to be pegged

Suggests something is attached using pegs.

FAQs

How is "to be hung" correctly used in a sentence?

The phrase "to be hung" is used in passive constructions to describe something being suspended. For instance, "The decorations are "to be hung" before the party" or "The prisoner was "to be hanged" at dawn".

What's the difference between "to be hung" and "to be hanged"?

"To be hung" typically refers to objects being suspended, like a picture "to be hung" on a wall. "To be hanged" specifically refers to a person being executed by hanging.

Which alternatives can I use instead of "to be hung" in relation to displaying art?

If you're talking about art, you can use phrases like "to be displayed", "to be mounted", or "to be exhibited" as alternatives to ""to be hung"".

When is it appropriate to use "to be hanged" instead of "to be hung"?

"To be hanged" should only be used when referring to a person being executed by hanging. Using "to be hung" in this context would be grammatically incorrect. For example, "The convicted criminal was "to be hanged" at dawn".