to be learned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be learned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is to be acquired or understood, often in an educational context. Example: "The concepts in this course are challenging, but they are essential to be learned for a deeper understanding of the subject."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Lessons to be learned.

Forbes

Yet there are lessons to be learned.

The New York Times

"We're causing it to be learned".

The New York Times

So there are lessons to be learned.

Independent

"There are lessons to be learned".

The New York Times

Everything has to be learned from zero.

The New Yorker

"That's the lesson to be learned".

The New York Times - Sports

Because that has to be learned, too.

The New Yorker

Much remains to be learned.

The New Yorker

It has to be learned.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

He seemed to be learning Indonesian ways.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be learned", ensure the context clearly indicates who is doing the learning and what the specific subject or skill is. For example, "These principles need to be learned by all new employees" is clearer than "These principles need to be learned."

Common error

Avoid using "to be learned" excessively in passive voice, which can make your writing sound weak or vague. Instead, consider active constructions that specify the learner and the learning process. For example, instead of "The lesson is to be learned", try "Students should learn the lesson."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be learned" typically functions as part of a verb phrase in a passive construction, indicating that something is intended, required, or needs to be acquired through instruction or experience. Ludwig examples confirm its use in expressing necessary acquisitions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

29%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be learned" is a versatile and commonly used expression indicating the necessity of acquiring knowledge or skills. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions primarily in passive constructions to emphasize what needs to be understood or mastered. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, careful attention should be paid to avoid overuse in passive voice, which can weaken writing. The phrase appears frequently in News & Media, Science, and Academia, making it suitable for both formal and informal contexts. For alternatives, consider phrases like "to be understood" or "to be acquired" to fine-tune your meaning. By understanding its nuances and proper usage, you can effectively communicate the importance of learning in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be understood

Emphasizes comprehension rather than just acquisition of knowledge.

to be acquired

Focuses on the gaining or obtaining of knowledge or skills.

to be mastered

Highlights the achievement of expertise or proficiency.

to be grasped

Implies a sudden or intuitive understanding.

to be assimilated

Suggests incorporating knowledge into one's existing understanding.

to be internalized

Focuses on deeply understanding and integrating knowledge or values.

to be studied

Highlights the process of learning through formal or informal education.

lessons to be learned

More specific, referring to insights gained from experiences.

knowledge to be gained

Highlights the prospective benefit of learning.

skills to be developed

Focuses on the improvement of specific abilities through practice.

FAQs

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

The phrase "to be learned" is used to describe something that needs to be understood or acquired through study or experience. For instance, "There are valuable lessons "lessons to be learned" from this project."

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to be understood", "to be acquired", or "to be mastered" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "lessons to be learned" or "lessons that must be learned"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "lessons to be learned" is more concise and commonly used. "Lessons that must be learned" emphasizes necessity, which might be appropriate in certain contexts, but consider also, more concise, equivalents such as "hard lessons".

What is the difference between "to be learned" and "to learn"?

"To be learned" is often part of a passive construction, indicating something that needs to be acquired. "To learn" is an active infinitive, describing the action of acquiring knowledge. For example, "This skill is to be learned" versus "I want to learn this skill".