to be unloaded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be unloaded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to transportation, logistics, or any situation where items or cargo are being removed from a vehicle or container. Example: "The truck arrived at the warehouse, and the boxes are ready to be unloaded."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(c)Requirements regarding shipment to be unloaded.

Cornell University

So Hutchinson ordered the tea ships to be unloaded.

Yale University

Coffins have to be unloaded from hearses outside the gate.

The New York Times

"According to a witness, the victim was handling a gun he believed to be unloaded.

The Guardian

The planes that have landed are waiting for their cargo to be unloaded.

The Washington Post

The gun, a.357 Magnum, was found to be unloaded, he said.

The New York Times

Once there, every sling had to be unloaded, and the cargo stowed properly.

The Economist

Billups will almost certainly have to be unloaded through the amnesty provision.

The New York Times - Sports

The food & ammunition were in the ship's holds, so the deck cargo also had to be unloaded.

The New Yorker

But it got no farther than the customs yards and has yet to be unloaded, aid officials said.

The New York Times

You said it could not land, but Conte and Di Maio ordered the immigrants to be unloaded.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about logistics or shipping, use specific verbs related to "to be unloaded" like "offload" or "discharge" to provide a clearer picture of the operation.

Common error

Avoid using the passive voice excessively. Instead of writing "The cargo needs to be unloaded", consider using the active voice: "The workers must unload the cargo". This makes the sentence more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be unloaded" functions primarily as part of a passive infinitive construction. As Ludwig AI explains, this structure is used to indicate that something is the recipient of the action, rather than the actor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be unloaded" is a versatile phrase used to describe the act of removing contents from a container or vehicle. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically correct and appears frequently across diverse contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific sources. For alternatives, consider phrases like "to be offloaded" or "to be discharged", depending on the desired level of formality. While "to be unloaded" serves its purpose well, be mindful of potential overuse of the passive voice in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be offloaded

Emphasizes the removal of something from a vehicle or container. It suggests a systematic and organized process of unloading.

to be discharged

Highlights the act of releasing or removing cargo, often used in the context of ships or containers. Suggests the completion of a process.

to be emptied

Focuses on the process of making something devoid of its contents, such as a container or vehicle.

to be unpacked

Implies the removal of items from a package or container, specifically focusing on the act of unpacking.

to be removed

Indicates the general act of taking something away or off, without specifying the method or context.

to be taken off

Suggests a more casual or less formal removal, typically of smaller items from a vehicle or surface.

to be extracted

Emphasizes the careful and precise removal of something, often used in scientific or technical contexts.

to be delivered

Focuses on the end stage of transport when the goods are ready for unloading.

to be accessed

Highlights making available the content of something to allow its unloading or removal.

to be cleared

Emphasizes the action of removing objects to create space or order.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "to be unloaded" in a formal context?

In formal settings, consider alternatives like "to be discharged" or "to be offloaded" for a more professional tone. These options are frequently used in logistics and shipping contexts.

What is a simpler way to say "to be unloaded"?

For simpler language, you could use "to be emptied" or "to be removed". These options are more generally applicable and easier to understand in everyday conversation.

Is it correct to say "the truck is waiting to be unloaded"?

Yes, that's perfectly correct. The phrase "to be unloaded" is commonly used in the passive voice to describe something waiting for its contents to be removed.

What's the difference between "to be unloaded" and "to unload"?

"To be unloaded" is in the passive voice, indicating that something will have its contents removed by someone or something else. "To unload" is in the active voice, implying that someone or something is performing the action of unloading.