to be over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be over" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is finished or has come to an end, such as an event or activity. For example, "The party was a huge success. It's time for it to be over."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"It's good to be over," she said.

The New York Times

We want this to be over forever".

The New York Times

Remember not to be over competitive.

WikiHow

It appeared to be over.

The New Yorker

I'm ready to be over it".

The New York Times - Sports

Some fights appear to be over.

The New York Times

The worry appears to be over.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Vaccinations also appeared to be over-emphasised.

The Economist

Motherhood tends to be over-idealised.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nevertheless, NIA1 appears to be over-expressed.

BMC Plant Biology

It never hurts to be over-prepared!

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "The meeting is to be over by 5 PM" clarifies the event's end time.

Common error

Avoid using "to be over" in contexts where a more specific verb would be more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "The contract is to be over", use "The contract will expire" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be over" primarily functions as a predicate adjective describing the state of something coming to an end. It is often used with auxiliary verbs like 'is', 'was', or 'will' to express a future or present state of completion. Examples from Ludwig show it used to express a desire for something to end or an observation that something appears finished.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be over" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that indicates the end or conclusion of something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. It's versatile, appearing frequently in news and media, but also in more casual settings. When writing, ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. While versatile, be mindful of more precise alternatives that may enhance clarity. It is advisable to avoid over-reliance on it, instead opting for synonyms that provide greater specificity, like "to conclude" or "to terminate" for formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to come to an end

Emphasizes the process of reaching a conclusion or termination.

to draw to a close

Highlights the gradual nearing of something's end.

to be finished

A simpler and more direct way of saying something has ended.

to conclude

Formal term indicating the termination of an event or process.

to terminate

Indicates a formal or abrupt ending.

to lapse

Implies a more passive ending, often due to inactivity or time.

to expire

Commonly used for contracts or time-sensitive items reaching their end date.

to cease

Formal term indicating stopping an action.

to discontinue

Suggests a deliberate action to stop or end something.

to wrap up

Informal way of saying something is coming to an end or is being finalized.

FAQs

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

You can use "to be over" to indicate the end of something. For example, "The game is "going to be over" soon", or "I want this "to be over" as quickly as possible".

What's a more formal way to say "to be over"?

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases like "to conclude", "to terminate", or "to draw to a close".

How does "to be over" compare to "to be finished"?

"To be over" and "to be finished" are quite similar, both indicating that something has ended. "To be over" might imply a sense of relief or anticipation, while "to be finished" is a more neutral statement of completion.

Is it correct to say "the worst is to be over"?

Yes, it is correct. Saying "the worst "is to be over"" suggests that the most difficult part of a situation has passed or is about to pass.