to be polished

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be polished" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe something that needs to be improved or perfected. For example, "This essay needs to be polished before it is ready to be submitted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They just needed to be polished".

The New York Times

She sent them all back to be polished.

The New York Times

Rooms that had previously demanded to be polished now offered themselves to be stroked".

The New York Times - Books

It only needs to be polished.' From then on Galena went the preservation route".

The New York Times - Travel

There are new entrees and desserts to be conceived and silverware to be polished.

The New York Times

The factory had some inventory waiting to ship out, and some raw materials that needed to be polished.

The New York Times

We have assumed that, with its stain-less steel rumps it would never have to be polished by human hands.

The New Yorker

The beautiful and natural sound that Pavarotti started out with simply needed to be polished and strengthened.

The Guardian

The cast-iron staircases still need to be grinded and repainted, and the floors have yet to be polished.

The New York Times

The iPad had gone on sale just weeks earlier, and workers were told thousands of cases needed to be polished each day.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

An additional 37 genomic regions had to be polished by PCR and Sanger sequencing.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be polished" when you want to emphasize the need for refinement or improvement, particularly when something has potential but isn't yet perfect. For example, "The script has great potential but needs "to be polished" before it's ready for production."

Common error

While "to be polished" is a useful phrase, avoid overusing it. Vary your language by using synonyms like "to be refined" or "to be improved" to add nuance and prevent your writing from becoming repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be polished" functions as an infinitive phrase often used as part of a verb phrase. It describes the necessity of refining or improving something. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts ranging from skills and presentations to documents and even personal qualities. According to Ludwig, its usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

23%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be polished" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase indicating the need for refinement or improvement. Ludwig's analysis confirms its correct usage across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal business settings. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "to be refined" or "to be improved". Keep in mind that while "to be polished" indicates the necessity for additional work, "to be finished" only describes that a task has been completed. Remember to use "to be polished" to signal that something needs to be improved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be refined

Focuses more on the improvement of something already of quality.

to be perfected

Emphasizes achieving a state of flawlessness.

to be improved

A general term for making something better.

to be honed

Suggests sharpening or focusing skills or abilities.

to be finished

Implies the final stage of completion, often including refinement.

to be finessed

Implies delicate or artful handling to achieve a desired result.

to be buffed

Similar to polishing, but often refers to making something shiny or smooth.

to be streamlined

Focuses on making something more efficient and effective.

to be groomed

Suggests preparing someone or something for a specific role or purpose.

to be touched up

Refers to minor improvements or corrections.

FAQs

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

You can use "to be polished" to indicate that something needs refinement or improvement. For example, "This presentation needs "to be polished" before we show it to the client."

What's a good alternative to "to be polished"?

Alternatives include "to be refined", "to be perfected", or "to be improved" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "to be polished" formal or informal?

"To be polished" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of your writing.

When should I use "to be polished" instead of "to be finished"?

Use "to be polished" when you want to emphasize the need for refinement and detail work, whereas "to be finished" simply means the task is complete, regardless of quality.