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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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to be select

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be select" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an incorrect form of "to be selected" or "to be selective." Example: "In order to be selected for the team, you must meet all the qualifications."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Independent

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I try not to be select in that way, but I have had only female assistants who I've chosen.

News & Media

Independent

Students reserve the right to be select, but they shouldn't be too picky.

News & Media

Huffington Post

For example, if you are searching for web pages that contain the phrase "to be or not to be," select the search parameter that reads "This exact phrase".

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

For server-selected fingerprints, appropriate parameters need to be selected.

How likely to be selected eventually?

News & Media

Independent

An artist has yet to be selected.

"It's an honour to be selected.

News & Media

The Guardian

Judges have yet to be selected.

News & Media

The New York Times

Sound effects needed to be selected.

The weekly competition to be selected to play.

Those who wish to be selected need to show themselves.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be selected" or "to be selective" instead of "to be select" for grammatically correct phrasing.

Common error

Avoid using "select" as a passive verb form. "Select" is an adjective; therefore, use the correct passive form "to be selected" or "to be selective" depending on the intended meaning.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be select" functions incorrectly as it attempts to use the adjective 'select' in a passive verb construction. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is not standard English. The correct form would involve using the past participle of the verb 'select', resulting in 'to be selected'.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Independent

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be select" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal and informal writing. As Ludwig AI pointed out, the correct phrasing is "to be selected" or "to be selective", depending on the intended meaning. While examples do exist, they appear to be instances of incorrect usage rather than established idiomatic expressions. It is best to stick with established grammatical norms to ensure clarity and credibility in your writing.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "select" in a passive construction?

The correct passive construction is "to be selected". "Select" is an adjective. So, the verb must be formed using the past participle, as in "to be selected".

Is "to be select" grammatically correct?

No, "to be select" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing is "to be selected" or "to be selective".

When should I use "to be selected" versus "to be selective"?

"To be selected" implies being chosen from a group. "To be selective" means being careful and discriminating in one's choices.

What are some alternatives to "to be selected"?

Alternatives include "to be chosen", "to be picked", or "to be appointed", depending on the context.

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Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: