to be present

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be present" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's physical presence at a location, or when referring to a person's state of awareness. For example, "I requested that all team members be present at the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You have to be present.

The New York Times

He needed me to be present.

The New York Times

Every minister to be present.

Harvard University

Ms. Dunham is expected to be present.

The New York Times

Three generations seem to be present.

The New York Times - Health

To be present in the moment".

The New York Times - Magazine

Those elements all appear to be present.

The Washington Post

I happened to be present for.

The New Yorker

What would it mean to be present?

Princeton University

So I just wanted to be present for that.

The Guardian

All forms are likely to be present on Sunday.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be present" when you want to emphasize the importance of someone's physical attendance or their active participation in an event or situation. For example, "It is crucial for the CEO to be present at the annual meeting."

Common error

While "to be present" is grammatically correct, overuse in formal writing can make your text sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "to attend", "to participate", or "to be in attendance" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be present" functions primarily as an infinitive phrase. It often serves as a complement to a verb, expressing a need, obligation, or possibility. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

8%

HuffPost

28%

Less common in

Forbes

3%

TechCrunch

3%

Vice

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be present" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression, as validated by Ludwig AI. Its versatility allows it to convey physical attendance, a state of mindfulness, or general existence. While it is suitable for various contexts, including News & Media and Academia, overuse in formal settings should be avoided by incorporating synonyms like "to attend" or "to be mindful". The examples from Ludwig underline its widespread application, making it an essential phrase to understand and use effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be there

A simple and direct way to express presence.

to attend

Focuses specifically on physical presence at an event or location.

to be in attendance

Highlights the act of being officially present at a gathering.

to exist

Emphasizes the state of being, whether physical or abstract.

to be on hand

Focuses on being readily available and present for assistance.

to be available

Stresses readiness and accessibility, implying a state of presence.

to show up

An informal way of saying to be present or attend.

to be mindful

Emphasizes mental and emotional presence in the moment.

to make an appearance

Suggests a formal or brief presence.

to participate

Implies active involvement and presence in an activity.

FAQs

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

You can use "to be present" to indicate physical attendance, as in "It's important for all members "to be present" at the meeting". Or, you can use it to describe a state of mind, such as "Mindfulness helps us "to be present" in the moment".

What does it mean "to be present" in the moment?

To be present in the moment means to fully focus on the current experience without dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. It involves being mindful and engaged with what is happening right now, as opposed to being distracted or lost in thought.

Which is correct, "to be present" or "being present"?

Both "to be present" and "being present" are correct, but they function differently in a sentence. "To be present" is an infinitive phrase often used after verbs like 'need', 'want', or 'have'. "Being present" is a gerund phrase that can function as a noun, for example: "Being present is key to mindfulness".

What are some alternative ways to say "to be present"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "to attend" for physical presence, "to exist" for a state of being, or "to be mindful" for mental and emotional presence.