told to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"told to be" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used when someone is instructed or ordered to do something by someone else. Example: The students were told to be quiet during the exam.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The protesters were told to be quiet.

The New York Times

We have been told to be alert.

The New York Times

We are told to be happy.

The Guardian - Opinion

There are still stories to be told, to be written".

The New York Times

"We have all been told to be here.

The Guardian

What it can't be is told to be dull.

The Guardian - Opinion

The employees, he added, were told to "be creative".

The New York Times

Staff have been told to be braced for heavy criticism.

The Guardian

Officers were told to be friendly and non-confrontational.

The Guardian - Opinion

Hospitals have been told to be on suicide alert.

The Guardian

I was ignored or told to be patient.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "told to be", ensure the subject clearly identifies who is giving the instruction. Clarity prevents ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "told to be" in constructions where the source of the instruction is unclear. This can lead to confusion about who is responsible for the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "told to be" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject is the recipient of an instruction or order. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "told to be" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate that someone has received an instruction or order. Ludwig AI confirms this, highlighting its prevalence across various contexts like news, science, and formal business. When using "told to be", clarity is key, especially regarding the source of the instruction. Consider alternatives like "instructed to be" or "advised to be" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ordered to be

Conveys a direct and authoritative command.

instructed to be

Emphasizes a formal command or direction.

encouraged to be

Highlights motivational or supportive instruction.

advised to be

Suggests a recommendation rather than a strict order.

requested to be

Indicates a polite or formal solicitation.

expected to be

Highlights an anticipation or requirement.

asked to be

A more informal way of requesting something.

required to be

Implies a necessity or obligation.

made to be

Focuses on the act of forcing or compelling someone.

supposed to be

Expresses an expectation or common belief.

FAQs

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

Use "told to be" to indicate that someone has received instructions or orders from an authority. For example, "The protesters were "told to be" quiet by the police."

What are some alternatives to using "told to be"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "told to be" include "instructed to be", "advised to be", or "expected to be".

Is it more formal to say "told to be" or "asked to be"?

"Asked to be" is generally considered more informal and polite, while ""told to be"" implies a level of authority or instruction.

What's the difference between "told to be" and "supposed to be"?

"Told to be" indicates a direct instruction, while "supposed to be" conveys an expectation or assumption.