to be taught

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be taught" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of receiving instruction or education in a particular subject or skill. Example: "Children are eager to be taught new things, especially when it comes to science and art."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He wants to be taught".

The New York Times - Sports

Everything else has to be taught.

The New Yorker

"I guess everybody has to be taught".

The New York Times - Sports

It's dangerous to be taught art".

The New Yorker

Now, we need to be taught it".

Independent

Only abstinence is allowed to be taught.

Independent

Tracy won't need to be taught".

The New Yorker

They just had to be taught how.

The New Yorker

Tolerance, too, has to be taught".

The New York Times

"We needed to be taught visually.

The New York Times

How is it to be taught?

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be taught", ensure the context clearly indicates who is doing the teaching and what is being taught for maximum clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "to be taught" excessively in a single piece of writing. Too much passive voice can make your writing sound weak and indirect. Strive for a balance with active voice constructions for a more engaging and impactful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be taught" functions as a passive infinitive, indicating the potential or necessity of receiving instruction. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. It is typically part of a larger verb phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

33%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be taught" is a common and grammatically sound passive infinitive used to express the act of receiving instruction. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific domains. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to balance its use with active voice constructions for more engaging writing. When using "to be taught", ensure clarity by specifying who is teaching and what is being learned. By understanding its function, purpose, and common usage patterns, you can effectively incorporate "to be taught" into your writing while avoiding potential pitfalls.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to receive instruction

Focuses on the act of receiving knowledge, differing from the more general act of being taught.

to be educated

Implies a broader scope of learning, encompassing a wider range of subjects and skills.

to be trained

Suggests a more practical, hands-on approach to learning, often focused on specific skills or tasks.

to be coached

Suggests personalized guidance and support, often in a specific area of expertise.

to be mentored

Implies a longer-term relationship with an experienced individual who provides guidance and support.

to be guided

Suggests direction and support, often in a specific process or task.

to be shown how

Focuses on the demonstration of a process or technique.

to be enlightened

Suggests a deeper understanding or awareness, often of complex or abstract concepts.

to gain knowledge

Focuses on the acquisition of information, often through self-study or experience.

to acquire skills

Emphasizes the development of practical abilities.

FAQs

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

You can use "to be taught" to describe the act of receiving instruction. For example, "Children are eager to be taught new things" or "Certain skills need to be taught at a young age."

What are some alternatives to "to be taught"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "to receive instruction", "to be educated", or "to be trained".

Is it better to use the active or passive voice when describing learning?

While "to be taught" is grammatically correct, using the active voice can often make your writing more direct and engaging. For instance, instead of "The students need to be taught math", you could say "The teacher needs to teach the students math."

Which is correct, "to be taught" or "to being taught"?

"To be taught" is the correct infinitive form. "To being taught" is grammatically incorrect in most contexts where you intend to express the act of receiving instruction. However, "being taught" can be used as a gerund in different sentence structures.