to be walked

USAGE SUMMARY

"To be walked" is a perfectly valid English phrase and can be used in both written and spoken English.
For example, you can say "My dog needs to be walked today," or "I need to find someone to be walked home after dark."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It has to be walked around.

The New York Times

It does not need to be walked.

The New York Times

Ginger needs to be walked before 9.

The New York Times

The dog had to be walked.

The New York Times

But it doesn't know how to be walked.

The New Yorker

I always thought they were something to be walked around".

The New York Times - Arts

But there is a fine line to be walked.

The Economist

"A floor is there to be walked on," he says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They had to be walked," said the former colleague.

The New York Times

But a fine line has to be walked, he said.

The New York Times

This is a building to be walked through.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be walked" in reference to dogs, specify the frequency and duration for clarity, such as, "The dog needs to be walked twice a day for at least 30 minutes each time."

Common error

Avoid using "to be walked" when an active construction is more appropriate or direct. For instance, instead of "The document needs to be being walked through by the team", say "The team needs to review the document."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be walked" primarily functions as part of a passive infinitive construction. As Ludwig shows, this construction often indicates a requirement or a need, especially in contexts related to pet care or designed pathways.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be walked" is a versatile phrase primarily used in a passive infinitive construction to indicate a need or intended purpose. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in diverse contexts, from pet care to architectural design. It's important to understand its passive nature and use it appropriately to maintain clarity in your writing. Remember that in the context of pets, specifying frequency and duration adds clarity, and being mindful of when an active construction would be more effective is also key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

To be strolled

Replaces "walked" with "strolled", implying a more leisurely pace.

To require walking

Shifts from passive voice to active, focusing on the necessity of the action.

To be ambled

Emphasizes a slow and relaxed way of walking.

To be paced

Suggests a more restless or anxious movement than a regular walk.

Needing a walk

Similar to 'require walking' but from a pet owner's perspective.

To be hiked

Suggests a more intense or challenging form of walking.

Demanding a walk

Emphasizes the urgency or insistence of needing a walk.

To be marched

Implies a disciplined or forceful walk.

To be exercised

Broadens the scope from walking to general physical activity.

To be toured

Similar to 'require walking' but refers to the action of showing someone around a place.

FAQs

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

You can use "to be walked" to describe something needing a walk, such as "The dog needs "to be walked" before dinner" or "This path is meant "to be walked" without shoes".

What are some alternatives to saying "to be walked"?

Alternatives include "to be strolled", "to be paced", or phrases like "requires walking", depending on the specific context and intended nuance.

Is it better to say "to be walked" or "needs to be walked"?

Both are grammatically correct. "Needs "to be walked"" often emphasizes the necessity, while ""to be walked"" can be used more generally to describe a purpose or design.

What's the difference between "to be walked" and "to walk"?

"To be walked" is passive, indicating something receives the action. "To walk" is active, indicating someone performs the action. For example, "The dog needs "to be walked"" (passive) versus "I need "to walk" the dog" (active).