to be off

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be off" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used as a phrase to signify that one is leaving or ending an activity. For example: "I'm off to bed now, goodnight!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

"I wanted to be off the court.

The New York Times - Sports

We seem to be off.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It has to be off the table".

The New York Times

They are neighing, eager to be off.

The New York Times - Arts

Ah well, it's time to be off.

The New Yorker

Now, all that seems to be off.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

"I'm trying to be off-message.

The Guardian - Film

I couldn't afford to be off-guard.

The New York Times - Magazine

The best-remembered Buffy episodes tend to be off-format.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The house would have to be off-grid.

The New York Times

Most technologies are intended to be off-the-shelf.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be off" to mean something is cancelled or no longer happening, ensure the context is clear. For example, "The meeting seems "to be off" now."

Common error

Avoid using "to be off" when you mean "to be away" if you're only referring to temporary absence. "To be off" often implies a more definite departure or cancellation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be off" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often acting as an intransitive verb indicating departure or cessation. Ludwig provides examples where it signifies leaving a place or canceling an event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be off" is a versatile expression used to indicate departure, completion, or cancellation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. The phrase is commonly found in news and media, formal business settings, and more informal contexts. While "to be off" is generally neutral, it's important to choose the right alternative, like "to be away" or "to depart", depending on the intended meaning. With a high source quality and diverse applications, understanding its nuances can enhance clarity in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to depart

Formal synonym emphasizing the act of leaving a place.

to be cancelled

Indicates that a scheduled event will not happen.

to be postponed

Indicates an event is delayed to a later time.

to be absent

Describes a state of not being present.

to be incorrect

Indicates a deviation from accuracy or truth.

to be mistaken

Similar to 'incorrect' but implies an error in judgment.

to be out of order

Describes something not functioning correctly.

to be out of place

Indicates something is not in its correct location.

to be on leave

Specifies a temporary absence from work or duty.

to be away

General term for not being present in a specific location.

FAQs

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

You can use "to be off" to indicate leaving a place or finishing an activity, as in "I'm "to be off" now" or to signify that something is cancelled, like "The event seems "to be off".".

What does it mean when something is "off the table"?

When something is "off the table", it means it is no longer being considered as an option or possibility. Alternatives include "not an option" or "out of the question".

What's the difference between "to be off" and "to be away"?

"To be off" often implies a more definite departure or cancellation, while "to be away" typically indicates a temporary absence. For example, "I'm "to be off" to Europe" suggests a planned trip, whereas "I will "to be away" next week" implies a temporary absence.

What are some alternatives to saying "I'm going "to be off""?

Depending on the context, you could say "I'm leaving", "I'm departing", or "I'm heading out" as alternatives to "I'm going "to be off"".