to be watched

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be watched" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that is subject to oversight or surveillance. For example, "The bank vault requires a constant guard presence to be watched."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

No one dances to be watched.

The New Yorker

All investments need to be watched.

The Economist

But it needed to be watched.

The Economist

Children in particular are to be watched.

Independent

PEOPLE need to be watched.

The New York Times

He demanded to be watched.

The Guardian

"They are going to be watched".

The New York Times

And this woman demands to be watched.

The Guardian

It's got to be watched both ways".

The New York Times - Sports

He is a musician to be watched.

The New York Times - Arts

They were hoping to be watched themselves.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be watched" in passive constructions to emphasize the object of the action rather than the actor. For example, "The data needs to be watched for anomalies".

Common error

Avoid using "to be watched" when an active construction is more appropriate. For example, instead of "The security guards need to be watched by the manager", a clearer sentence might be "The manager needs to watch the security guards".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be watched" functions as a passive infinitive, indicating a state or necessity of being observed or monitored. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use across various domains, confirming its grammatical correctness and versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to be watched" is a grammatically sound and versatile passive infinitive used to denote the necessity of observation or monitoring. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability, as evidenced by its frequent appearance in diverse contexts such as news, science, and business. While generally neutral in register, the specific tone can shift based on the surrounding text. When writing, consider whether an active or passive construction best suits the intended emphasis. Alternatives include "to be monitored" or "to be observed", offering subtle variations in meaning. Pay attention to the nuances of passive voice to prevent potential misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be monitored

Focuses specifically on the act of systematic and continuous observation.

to be observed

Emphasizes the act of paying attention and noticing details.

to be supervised

Implies overseeing and directing activities, often in a professional setting.

to be scrutinized

Highlights a detailed and critical examination.

to be kept under surveillance

Focuses on the covert observation of someone or something.

to be kept an eye on

Suggests a casual but attentive watchfulness.

to require monitoring

Stresses the necessity of observation.

to demand vigilance

Highlights the need for alertness and caution.

to be closely examined

Focuses on thorough analysis and investigation.

to be carefully tracked

Emphasizes the act of following something's progress or movement.

FAQs

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

You can use "to be watched" in passive voice constructions to indicate that something requires monitoring or observation. For example, "The experiment needs "to be watched" closely for any unexpected reactions".

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

Alternatives include "to be monitored", "to be observed", or "to be supervised", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "to be watched" or "to watch" in a sentence?

The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the object being observed (use "to be watched") or the person doing the observing (use "to watch"). For example, "The patient needs "to be watched"" vs. "The nurse needs "to watch" the patient".

In what contexts is "to be watched" most commonly used?

"To be watched" is commonly used in contexts relating to security, surveillance, and monitoring, as well as in discussions about media and performance. It can also apply to contexts where something or someone requires close supervision due to potential risks.