to be reliable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be reliable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone or something that can be trusted to perform consistently well or to provide accurate information. Example: "In any team, it is essential for each member to be reliable in order to achieve our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And people expect utilities to be reliable.

The Economist

The Superformula appeared to be reliable.

The New Yorker

Dillon Gee proved to be reliable.

The New York Times - Sports

They simply need him to be reliable.

The New York Times - Sports

America is going to be reliable again.

The New York Times

The measurements are found to be reliable.

Marine Structures

"We're confident we can continue to be reliable.

The New York Times

If it's measurements turn out to be reliable, that is.

MIT Technology Review

Radar has proved to be reliable over the years.

The New York Times

Its neighbours have not proved to be reliable suppliers.

The Economist

Thus, our model was found to be reliable.

Polymer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be reliable", ensure that the context clearly indicates what or who is being described as dependable. Provide specific examples or evidence to support the claim of reliability, enhancing the credibility of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "to be reliable" as a generic compliment without concrete support. Instead of saying something is "to be reliable" without evidence, explain why it is reliable, using data, examples, or verifiable facts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be reliable" functions as an infinitive phrase. It typically serves as a complement or modifier, describing a necessary attribute or desired state. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be reliable" is a grammatically correct and frequently used infinitive phrase that emphasizes the importance of dependability and trustworthiness. Ludwig provides numerous examples across various contexts, including news, science, and general communication. While versatile, it's important to substantiate claims of reliability with specific evidence. The Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity, suggesting it is an effective way to express the need for consistency and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be dependable

Emphasizes consistency and trustworthiness in performance or behavior.

to be trustworthy

Focuses on the honesty and integrity of a person or source.

to be consistent

Highlights the uniformity and predictability of actions or results.

to be accurate

Stresses the correctness and precision of information or measurements.

to be verifiable

Implies that something can be checked or proven to be true.

to be credible

Focuses on the believability and trustworthiness of a source or claim.

to be valid

Highlights the soundness and legitimacy of a method or result.

to be secure

Highlights the safety and protection.

to be predictable

Focuses on the ability to foresee or anticipate outcomes.

to be steadfast

Suggests unwavering loyalty and commitment.

FAQs

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

You can use "to be reliable" to describe anything that consistently performs well or provides accurate information. For example, "The data needs "to be reliable" for the study to be valid" or "He needs "to be reliable" if he wants to be promoted".

What are some alternatives to saying "to be reliable"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "to be dependable", "to be trustworthy", or "to be consistent". Each alternative emphasizes a slightly different aspect of dependability.

Is it better to say "is reliable" or "to be reliable"?

The choice between "is reliable" and "to be reliable" depends on the grammatical structure of your sentence. "Is reliable" is used when directly describing a noun (e.g., "The source is reliable"), while "to be reliable" is often used in infinitives or after auxiliary verbs (e.g., "It needs to be reliable").

In what contexts is "to be reliable" most appropriate?

"To be reliable" is suitable in contexts where you are setting an expectation or requirement for dependability, such as in project planning, scientific research, or personal relationships. For example, in research, data needs "to be accurate" and "to be reliable".