was to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"was to be" is a correct and usable phrase in written English; it is the past continuous form of the modal verb "to be" (used to express obligation).
Example: "He was to be at the meeting at 9am sharp, but he never showed up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Occupation was to be temporary.

The New Yorker

What was to be done?

The New York Times

"Independence was to be respected".

The New York Times

Money was to be spent.

The New York Times

That was to be expected.

The New York Times

It was to be expected.

The New York Times - Sports

He was to be murdered.

The New Yorker

Everything was to be replanted.

The New Yorker

This was to be expected.

The New York Times - Sports

He was to be disappointed.

The New York Times

The novel was to be erased too.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was to be" to clearly indicate a past intention, plan, or arrangement, especially when discussing events that did not necessarily occur as expected. For example: "The project "was to be" completed by June, but faced unexpected delays."

Common error

Avoid using "was to be" when referring to current or future intentions; use "is to be" or "will be" instead. Incorrect: The presentation was to be next week. Correct: The presentation is to be next week.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was to be" functions as a modal verb construction indicating a past plan, intention, or arrangement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, demonstrating its ability to convey intended actions that may or may not have occurred.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was to be" is a versatile modal verb construction used to express past intentions, plans, or arrangements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, predominantly in news and media. Remember to use it to indicate events that were scheduled or intended but may not have occurred, and avoid confusing it with present or future tense forms. Alternatives like "was scheduled to be" or "was intended to be" can add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was scheduled to be

Emphasizes a prearranged plan or timetable.

was intended to be

Focuses on the initial purpose or aim.

was meant to be

Suggests a predetermined or destined outcome.

was supposed to be

Highlights an expectation or agreement that may not have been fulfilled.

was going to be

Indicates a future intention in the past, often implying uncertainty.

should have been

Implies a moral or logical obligation that was not met.

would be

Expresses a conditional or hypothetical future in the past.

was about to be

Indicates an action on the verge of happening.

was on the point of being

Similar to "was about to be" but slightly more formal.

was in line to be

Implies a progression or expected sequence of events.

FAQs

How do I use "was to be" in a sentence?

Use "was to be" to express a past intention, arrangement, or plan that may or may not have happened. For instance, "The meeting "was to be" held on Monday, but it was cancelled."

What are some alternatives to "was to be"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "was scheduled to be", "was intended to be", or "was supposed to be" to convey a similar meaning.

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

"Was to be" refers to a past arrangement or intention, while "is to be" indicates a present or future arrangement. For example, "The document "was to be" signed yesterday" (past) versus "The document "is to be" signed tomorrow" (future).

Is "was to be" formal or informal?

"Was to be" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its usage depends more on the specific situation and the message you're trying to convey rather than the level of formality.