to be war

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be war" is not correct in standard written English.
It does not convey a clear meaning and is not commonly used in any context. Example: "In times of conflict, it is essential to understand what it means to be war."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

There's going to be war.

Independent

That is going to be war".

The New Yorker

"It's going to be war".

The New York Times

Any more than one and it was going to be war.

The New Yorker

And when you say justice, it doesn't have to be war.

The New York Times - Arts

Most appear to be war lovers, a type the French call baroudeurs.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

And most Americans are delighted that the present plan is to quit Iraq by the end of this year.America has reason to be war-weary.

The Economist

THE European project's greatest fans are supposed to be war-scarred visionaries and remote sheep farmers keen on new roads being built to their front gates.

The Economist

What would we do if we were caught in a soon to be war-torn country – continue our jobs or run for the hills?

The Guardian - Film

The wars we fight nowadays - |Libya, Afghanistan – seem to be wars in which we interfere in other countries.

Independent

Nowadays, however, the only big projects politicians are willing to undertake — with expense no object — seem to be wars.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing conflict, use precise and grammatically correct phrases such as "to be at war" or "to be in conflict" for clarity.

Common error

Do not use the phrase "to be war" as it's not standard English. Instead, opt for established expressions like "to be at war" or "to be headed for war" to ensure your meaning is clear to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be war" lacks a clear grammatical function in standard English. The verb "to be" typically requires a complement (e.g., a noun, adjective, or adverbial phrase) that describes the subject. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be war" is grammatically incorrect in standard English and should be avoided in formal writing. While some instances can be found across various sources, including news and media, these are likely either errors or attempts at figurative or non-standard expression. As Ludwig AI points out, clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives such as "to be at war" or "to be in conflict" are recommended for conveying similar meanings with greater clarity and precision. When precision in language is needed, avoid this construction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be at war

This alternative is a more grammatically sound and common way to express the state of engaging in warfare.

to be in conflict

This alternative broadens the scope to include various forms of disagreement and struggle, not strictly limited to military warfare.

to engage in hostilities

This alternative is a formal way of saying "to start a war"

to be on the brink of war

This alternative expresses a situation where war is imminent but has not yet begun.

to be headed for war

This alternative implies a progression towards conflict as an inevitable outcome.

to prepare for war

This alternative focuses on the actions taken in anticipation of a potential conflict.

to be a war zone

This alternative describes a specific location as being heavily affected by warfare.

to become belligerent

This alternative focuses on the act of becoming hostile or aggressive.

to incite war

This alternative expresses the start of a war.

to declare war

This alternative expresses a formal declaration.

FAQs

What does it mean if someone says something is "to be war"?

The phrase "to be war" is grammatically incorrect and not commonly used. It's likely a non-standard or figurative way of expressing that something will result in conflict. Using phrases like "to be at war" or "to be in conflict" is clearer.

Which is the correct way to say that a conflict is imminent: "to be war" or "to be at war"?

"To be at war" is the correct and standard way to express that a conflict is either ongoing or about to begin. "To be war" is not grammatically correct.

Can I use "to be war" in creative writing or informal contexts?

While you could use "to be war" in creative writing to convey a specific tone or meaning, be aware that it deviates from standard English and may confuse or distract readers. Consider if there is a more precise phrasing, such as "to be headed for war", before opting for this unusual construction.

What's the difference between "to be war" and "to be at war"?

The phrase "to be at war" is a standard English expression indicating a state of conflict or warfare. The phrase "to be war" is grammatically incorrect and lacks a clear, commonly understood meaning. In almost all contexts, "to be at war" is the preferable and correct choice.