to be reassuring

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be reassuring" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the act of providing comfort or confidence to someone. Example: "Her calm demeanor helped to be reassuring during the stressful situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Michaels tries to be reassuring.

The New Yorker

He tries to be reassuring.

The New Yorker

That, at least, ought to be reassuring.

The Economist

Presumably this was intended to be reassuring.

The Economist

This is supposed to be reassuring how?

The Guardian - Arts

That ought to be reassuring.

The Guardian - Business

This is supposed to be reassuring.

The New York Times

He meant this to be reassuring.

The Guardian

This was meant to be reassuring but it was not.

The New York Times

The answer is not likely to be reassuring.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

For politicians worried about the breakdown of the traditional family model, that ought to be reassuring.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be reassuring", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is being reassured and what the source of reassurance is. Clarity enhances the effectiveness of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences where it's unclear who is doing the reassuring. Actively state who is reassuring whom to make your writing more direct and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to be reassuring" is as an infinitive phrase that often acts as an adjectival modifier, describing the quality or intent of an action or statement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be reassuring" is a grammatically correct and frequently used infinitive phrase that serves to describe actions or statements intended to provide comfort and confidence. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage and indicates its prevalence across diverse contexts, especially in news and media. While it functions primarily as an adjectival modifier, its neutral register allows it to be suitable in various communication styles. When employing this phrase, clarity about the source and recipient of reassurance is crucial for effective communication. Alternatives such as ""to offer reassurance"" or ""to instill confidence"" can be considered to add nuance or shift the focus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to offer reassurance

Emphasizes the act of providing reassurance, shifting the focus slightly from the state of being reassuring to the action.

to instill confidence

Focuses on building confidence in someone, which is a direct outcome of being reassuring.

to provide comfort

Highlights the comforting aspect of being reassuring, suitable when emotional support is the primary concern.

to ease concerns

Addresses the reduction of worry or anxiety, which is often the goal of being reassuring.

to allay fears

Similar to easing concerns, but specifically targets the reduction of fear.

to set minds at ease

An idiomatic expression meaning to remove worries or doubts, closely related to the effect of being reassuring.

to give confidence

Similar to instilling confidence, focusing on the act of imparting a sense of assurance.

to reassure

A more concise and direct verb form of the phrase, losing the infinitive structure.

to inspire trust

Focuses on building trust, which can be a result of reassuring behavior.

to create a sense of security

Highlights the establishment of a safe and secure feeling, often achieved through reassuring actions.

FAQs

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

You can use "to be reassuring" to describe actions or statements that provide comfort or confidence. For example, "His calm tone was meant to be reassuring during the difficult conversation."

What are some alternatives to "to be reassuring"?

Alternatives include "to offer reassurance", "to instill confidence", or "to provide comfort", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "to reassure" or "to be reassuring"?

Both "to reassure" and "to be reassuring" are grammatically correct, but they function differently. "To reassure" is a direct verb, while "to be reassuring" is an infinitive phrase often used to describe the quality of an action or statement.

What's the difference between "to be comforting" and "to be reassuring"?

"To be comforting" focuses on providing solace and ease, whereas "to be reassuring" emphasizes the restoration of confidence and reduction of doubt. You can check out also "to be comforting".