to be tried

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be tried" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used as part of a passive verb construction, where the subject of the sentence is receiving the action. It is typically used when talking about someone or something undergoing a legal process or facing a challenge or test. Example: The suspect is set to be tried in court next month for robbery and assault.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Huguely has yet to be tried.

The New York Times

Mr. Komisarjevsky is to be tried separately.

The New York Times

Mr. Komisarjevsky is to be tried later.

The New York Times

It ought to be tried.

The New York Times

A fifth is to be tried later.

The New York Times

This was the first to be tried.

The New York Times

"He is going to be tried".

The New York Times

court to be tried by a jury of eleven men.

Harvard University

Some moves really aren't meant to be tried at home.

Columbia University

There he is to be tried for war crimes.

The New Yorker

He deserves to be tried and punished for his excesses.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In non-legal contexts, use "to be tried" to suggest an experiment or test. Example: "This new method is to be tried in several pilot programs."

Common error

Avoid confusing "to be tried" with similar phrases that have different meanings. "Trying to be" implies an attempt to be something, while "to be tried" signifies undergoing a trial or test.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be tried" primarily functions as part of a passive infinitive construction. Ludwig examples show its use in legal contexts (e.g., "He is going to be tried") and in more general senses implying testing or evaluation. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

12%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Formal & Business

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be tried" is a versatile phrase predominantly used within passive constructions to denote undergoing a legal process, a test, or an evaluation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted in English. Its occurrence is notably frequent in News & Media sources, as exemplified by the various instances from The New York Times and The Guardian. While predominantly neutral in tone, the formality can increase within academic or legal documents. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying charges or contexts for non-legal usages. Alternatives such as "to face trial" or "to be judged" can provide nuanced variations depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to face trial

Emphasizes the act of confronting a legal proceeding.

to stand trial

Highlights the formal aspect of being present in court.

to be put on trial

Highlights the act of placing someone in a trial situation.

to be prosecuted

Focuses on the legal action being taken against someone.

to be judged

Broadens the scope to any form of assessment or evaluation.

to be brought to justice

Emphasizes the pursuit of fairness and accountability.

to undergo scrutiny

Shifts the focus to a detailed examination or investigation.

to be challenged

Highlights the aspect of facing a test or difficult situation.

to be examined

Focuses on a detailed inspection or review.

to be assessed

Emphasizes the process of evaluating or measuring something.

FAQs

How is "to be tried" used in a sentence?

The phrase "to be tried" indicates that someone or something is going to undergo a trial or test. For example, "The new policy is "to be tried" in a few departments before company-wide implementation".

What's the difference between "to be tried" and "trying to be"?

"To be tried" means to undergo a formal examination or test, often in a legal setting. "Trying to be", on the other hand, means attempting to achieve a certain state or quality. For instance, "He is "to be tried" for theft" versus "He is "trying to be" a better person".

What can I say instead of "to be tried"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to face trial", "to be prosecuted", or "to be judged".

Is it correct to use "to be tried" in contexts other than legal?

Yes, "to be tried" can be used in non-legal contexts to describe something that will be tested or experimented with. For example, "A new approach is "to be tried" to solve the problem".