to be sprayed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be sprayed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that is intended to be covered or treated with a spray, such as paint, pesticide, or other substances. Example: "The garden needs to be sprayed with insect repellent to protect the plants from pests."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They wanted to be sprayed a lot.

The New York Times

is to be sprayed in a one second burst.

University of California, Berkeley

The pesticide to be sprayed in Suffolk County is resmethrin.

The New York Times

"I don't believe anyone wants to be sprayed.

The New York Times - Tech

Parts of Queens were to be sprayed from the ground last night, and parts of Staten Island were scheduled to be sprayed Tuesday night.

The New York Times

Some of the later planted fields may still need to be sprayed.

Cornell University

They have sufficient disease resistance that they don't need to be sprayed.

Cornell University

There have been reports of Western bean cutworm over threshold and will need to be sprayed.

Cornell University

Every light fixture and pillow had to be sprayed with fire retardant.

The New York Times

That allows the chemical to be sprayed to kill weeds without harming the grass.

The New York Times

The other protected crops against a herbicide called glyphosate, allowing them to be sprayed more effectively.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process, ensure the object "to be sprayed" is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify whether it's a field, a surface, or a person.

Common error

Avoid using "to be sprayed" when an active voice construction is more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "the plants need to be sprayed", consider "someone needs to spray the plants" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be sprayed" primarily functions as a passive infinitive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject of the sentence is the recipient of the action of spraying. Ludwig confirms the validity and common usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

24%

Science

18%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be sprayed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive infinitive verb phrase, indicating that something is intended to receive a spray treatment. Ludwig highlights its common usage across diverse contexts such as news, academia, and scientific literature, but is suitable for everyday and neutral setting. While grammatically correct, choosing active voice might improve clarity. The phrase communicates a planned or necessary action. Common alternatives include "to be coated" or "to be treated", with "to be sprayed" holding a strong presence due to its direct and easily understandable nature.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be coated

Focuses on covering a surface, not necessarily with a liquid or pressurized substance.

to undergo spraying

Formal way to express that the item is going to receive a spray treatment.

to be treated

Broader term indicating application of something for a specific purpose.

to be doused

Implies a thorough soaking, often with a liquid.

to be saturated

Indicates complete absorption or permeation.

to be misted

Describes application as a fine spray or mist.

to be sprinkled

Suggests a light, scattered application.

to be painted

Refers specifically to applying paint to a surface.

to be fogged

Suggests covering with a fog-like substance.

to be atomized

More technical term, specifically referring to converting a liquid into a fine spray.

FAQs

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

You can use "to be sprayed" to describe something that will receive a spray treatment, like "The crops are "about to be sprayed" with pesticide" or "The car is "going to be sprayed" with a fresh coat of paint".

What are some alternatives to "to be sprayed"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "to be coated", "to be treated", or "to be doused". Choose the phrase that best fits the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with spraying?

While "to be sprayed" (passive voice) is grammatically correct, sometimes using the active voice (e.g., "someone will spray") can make your writing clearer and more direct. Consider your audience and the desired emphasis when choosing.

What does it mean when something is described as "to be sprayed"?

When something is described as "to be sprayed", it means that a liquid or other substance will be applied to it in the form of a spray. This could be for various purposes, such as cleaning, disinfecting, protecting, or painting.