to be retired

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be retired" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone who has stopped working, typically after reaching a certain age or after a long career. Example: "After 30 years of dedicated service, she is finally ready to be retired and enjoy her golden years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The propensity to be retired is unobserved, so we create an indicator variable reflecting actual retirement status.

IZA Journal of Migration

He also announced the retirement of Lou Gehrig's uniform number, the first number to be retired.

Wikipedia

It needs to be retired.

The Guardian

Female chore caregivers, meanwhile, are more likely to be retired.

Journal of Health Economics

"I'm pretending to be retired," says Starzl.

MIT Technology Review

They are now said to be retired.

The Washington Post

Probably captains and commanders to be retired.

The New Yorker

The horse was going to be retired.

The Guardian - Sport

"Doin' That Rag," soon to be retired, is a kick.

The New Yorker

He may have hoped to be retired by now.

The Economist

The Atlantis was supposed to be retired now, too.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be retired" in the context of people, ensure it's used respectfully and consider the individual's perspective on retirement. Avoid making assumptions about their feelings towards it.

Common error

Avoid using "to be retired" when the active voice would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The policy is to be retired by the end of the year", consider "We will retire the policy by the end of the year".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be retired" functions as an infinitive phrase, often used in passive constructions. It indicates a future action or state of being, where something or someone will cease to be in active service or use. As seen in Ludwig, it describes planned or expected events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

23%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be retired" is a grammatically sound and frequently used infinitive phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and prevalence across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. It's essential to consider the context and audience when using it, especially when referring to people, to ensure respectful and clear communication. Alternatives like "to be decommissioned" or "to be phased out" may be more suitable depending on the specific situation. When using it in your writing, prioritize active voice to be concise and clear, but use passive voice where it is adequate to provide the right information without needing to specify the actor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be taken out of service

Emphasizes the action of removing something from active use or operation.

to be decommissioned

Focuses specifically on removing equipment or systems from service, often in a formal or official capacity.

to be phased out

Suggests a gradual removal or discontinuation of something over a period of time.

to be withdrawn

Implies a removal or retraction, often in a more formal or official context.

to be relieved of duty

Specifically refers to someone being removed from their responsibilities or position.

to be superseded

Indicates that something is being replaced by something newer or better.

to be discharged

Similar to relieved of duty, but often used in military or formal contexts.

to be terminated

Suggests a formal ending or cessation of something, like a contract or agreement.

to be made obsolete

Highlights the fact that something is no longer useful or relevant due to advancements or changes.

to be resigned

Suggests one voluntarily quits a postition or job.

FAQs

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

You can use "to be retired" to describe when someone stops working, as in "She is expected "to be retired" next year". It can also apply to objects, like "That model is "to be discontinued" soon".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "to be retired"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to be decommissioned" (for equipment), "to be phased out" (for gradual removal), or "to be withdrawn" (for products or policies).

Is it always appropriate to use the phrase "to be retired" when referring to a person?

While grammatically correct, using "to be retired" to describe a person can sometimes sound impersonal. Consider using more empathetic phrases like "is retiring" or "will retire" to show sensitivity.

What's the difference between "to be retired" and "to have retired"?

"To be retired" implies a future or planned event, like "The system is "to be retired" next month". "To have retired" indicates a completed action in the past, for instance, "He is said "to have retired" last year".