to be impartial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be impartial" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to remain unbiased and neutral in a situation or decision. Example: "It is important for judges to be impartial when presiding over a trial." In this sentence, "to be impartial" shows the expectation or requirement for judges to maintain fairness and objectivity in their role.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We also strive to be impartial.

The New York Times - Magazine

Many nonscientists perceive reviewers to be impartial.

The New York Times - Health

His duty is to be impartial.

The Guardian

We elect them to be impartial".

The New York Times

Conde, the frustrated writer, is unable to be impartial.

The New Yorker

So few expect trials staged by Khartoum to be impartial.

The Economist

The commission's Code of Conduct requires them to be impartial.

The Telegraph

On becoming Speaker in 2013, Bishop promised to be "impartial".

The Guardian

Mr. Dolan says he wants News 12 to be impartial.

The New York Times

"I don't profess to be impartial," Mr. Lott said.

The New York Times

"I don't have to pretend to be impartial," he says.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In journalistic contexts, using "to be impartial" reinforces the need for objective reporting and the avoidance of personal opinions.

Common error

Avoid using "to be impartial" when the context requires advocacy or support. Impartiality implies fairness, not a lack of engagement or concern. Remember that it's acceptable to be impartial when facilitating a discussion between parties with opposing viewpoints but inappropriate when covering political events as an activist.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to be impartial" is as an infinitive phrase functioning as a complement or modifier. It typically describes a required quality, duty, or aspiration, as seen in Ludwig's examples, such as "His duty is to be impartial."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be impartial" is a grammatically correct and frequently used infinitive phrase that underscores the importance of objectivity and fairness. According to Ludwig, the phrase often appears in news, media, science, and formal business contexts, signifying its relevance in professional and ethical discussions. When using "to be impartial", ensure it accurately reflects the need for neutrality, avoiding contexts where advocacy or engagement is required. Consider alternatives like "to be objective" or "to be fair" to fine-tune your message. The consistent usage across authoritative sources, as seen on Ludwig, highlights its reliability and acceptance in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to remain neutral

Focuses on maintaining a state of neutrality, emphasizing the lack of bias.

to be objective

Highlights the importance of relying on facts rather than personal feelings.

to be unbiased

Emphasizes the absence of prejudice or preconceived notions.

to be fair-minded

Focuses on the quality of having an open and equitable perspective.

to act justly

Emphasizes behavior that adheres to moral or legal standards of fairness.

to show no favoritism

Directly addresses the avoidance of preferential treatment.

to be equitable

Stresses the application of principles of justice to ensure fairness.

to keep an open mind

Emphasizes the willingness to consider different perspectives.

to be even-handed

Highlights the equal and fair treatment of all parties involved.

to be without prejudice

Focuses on the absence of pre-formed opinions or biases.

FAQs

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

You can use "to be impartial" to describe a duty or expectation, as in "A judge has a duty "to be impartial"" or to describe a desired quality, as in "It is important "to be impartial" when assessing evidence".

What does it mean "to be impartial"?

The phrase "to be impartial" means to be unbiased and neutral, without showing favoritism towards any particular side or viewpoint.

What can I say instead of "to be impartial"?

You can use alternatives such as "to be objective", "to be unbiased", or "to be fair" depending on the context.

Is it always possible to be completely impartial?

While striving "to be impartial" is a desirable goal, complete impartiality can be challenging due to inherent biases and personal perspectives. However, it remains important to minimize bias and strive for fairness.