was designed to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was designed to be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the intended purpose or function of an object, system, or concept. Example: "The new software was designed to be user-friendly, allowing even beginners to navigate it easily."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His empire was designed to be conservative.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was designed to be emotional".

The New Yorker

The Web was designed to be flexible.

The New York Times

It was designed to be conspicuous.

The New York Times - Arts

It was designed to be moderate.

The Guardian

"That's what it was designed to be".

The New York Times

It was designed to be influential.

The Guardian

Chompff said detention on Manus was designed to be punitive.

The Guardian

The clip was designed to be an instant tearjerker.

The Guardian

Neither was designed to be repaired in space.

The New York Times - Science

Progress was designed to be a disposable cargo ship.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was designed to be", ensure the subsequent description clearly articulates the intended function or characteristic. For instance, "The software was designed to be intuitive" is more effective if followed by specifics like 'with a simple interface and clear instructions'.

Common error

Avoid using "was designed to be" if the actual outcome doesn't align with the intended design. If the product falls short, consider phrases like "was intended to be" or "aimed to be" to acknowledge the discrepancy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was designed to be" functions as a passive voice construction used to describe the intended purpose or characteristic of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and appropriate for describing an object, system, or concept's planned functionality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was designed to be" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to articulate the intended purpose or characteristic of something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is correct and widely used in various contexts. This phrase is commonly found in news media, scientific articles, and encyclopedias, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using "was designed to be", ensure that the subsequent description clearly defines the intended function or characteristic, and consider alternatives like "was intended to be" or "was meant to be" for subtle differences in meaning. Avoid using the phrase if the actual outcome does not align with the design's intent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was intended to be

Replaces "designed" with "intended", emphasizing the initial purpose or plan.

was created to be

Focuses on the act of creation rather than the design process.

was meant to be

Suggests a preordained or expected outcome.

was built to be

Highlights the construction or manufacturing aspect of the design.

was conceived to be

Emphasizes the initial idea or concept behind the design.

was purposed to be

Emphasizes the specific purpose for which something was designed.

was planned to be

Stresses the planning stage of the design process.

was engineered to be

Highlights the technical or scientific aspect of the design.

was fashioned to be

Implies a careful and deliberate process of creation.

was structured to be

Indicates a deliberate arrangement or organization for a specific purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "was designed to be" in a sentence?

Use "was designed to be" to describe the intended function or purpose of something. For example, "The application was designed to be user-friendly" indicates the application's intention to be easy to use.

What are some alternatives to "was designed to be"?

Alternatives include "was intended to be", "was meant to be", or "was created to be", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "was designed to" or "was designed to be"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "was designed to be" is typically used when describing a quality or characteristic, while "was designed to" is often followed by an action. For example, "The tool was designed to cut" versus "The tool was designed to be sharp".

What's the difference between "was designed to be" and "is designed to be"?

"Was designed to be" refers to a past design intent, while "is designed to be" refers to a current or ongoing design. "The bridge was designed to be strong" indicates its past design, while "The bridge is designed to be strong" indicates its present or ongoing design purpose.