was to be defined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was to be defined" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is intended or expected to be clarified or specified in the future. Example: "The term 'sustainability' was to be defined in the upcoming meeting to ensure everyone had a clear understanding."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The constant chosen was Planck's constant, which was to be defined as equal to 6.6260693 × 10−34 joule second.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The metre was to be defined as a fraction of the Paris meridian whose precise measurement (in toises) was under way.

The Economist

Labor was to be defined by the "Beazley black hole", a mantra that stuck until Rudd was able to neutralise the economy and budget management by presenting to voters as Howard lite.

The Guardian

This Turkey was to be defined by "güç" - power.

Huffington Post

"My clergy colleagues who do not support same gender marriage do not have to conduct them!" In 2008, the United Methodist Church reaffirmed that marriage was to be defined only between a man and a woman.

Huffington Post

Regular adherence was to be defined as training between 1 3 times a week during the 20-week intervention period [ 20].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

He says: "To resist this new racism is to be defined as racist yourself, which is perverse.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The deal allows Syrian government warplanes to continue to fly missions in some areas that are to be defined later.

The New York Times

On the blackboard was a list of 10 "diversity definitions" -- words like "minority," "prejudice" and "culture shock" -- that were to be defined and discussed.

The New York Times

Mr. Bush called it a "new compact for global development" that is to be defined by "a new accountability" for both rich and poor nations.

The New York Times

The nature of ritual, in other words, is to be defined in terms of its function in a society.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Remember that this construction refers to a prior plan or intention, not necessarily an action that was completed.

Common error

Avoid using "was to be defined" when referring to actions that are already completed. Instead, use "was defined" or "has been defined" to indicate that the definition has already taken place.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was to be defined" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating a planned or scheduled action of defining something. It shows that the subject of the sentence was intended to undergo the process of being defined, according to Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was to be defined" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a prior plan or intention for something to be clarified or specified. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in Science, News & Media, and Encyclopedias. Although not very frequent, it accurately conveys the idea of a scheduled or intended definition. When using the phrase, ensure you are referring to a prior plan rather than a completed action. Alternatives like "was going to be defined" or "was intended to be defined" can provide slight nuances depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was going to be defined

Indicates a future intention or plan for definition, similar to the original phrase but with a slightly different emphasis on timing.

was intended to be defined

Highlights the intention or purpose behind the definition, emphasizing a planned action.

was meant to be defined

Expresses an expectation or design for definition, suggesting a pre-determined arrangement.

was scheduled to be defined

Specifies a planned timeframe for the definition, adding a sense of timing and arrangement.

was supposed to be defined

Suggests an obligation or expectation for definition, implying a required action.

was slated to be defined

Implies that defining something was planned and listed within a schedule.

was planned to be defined

Focuses on the planning stage, indicating that the definition was part of a larger strategy.

was set to be defined

Emphasizes the readiness or preparedness for definition, suggesting the necessary conditions were in place.

would be defined

Expresses a conditional or future possibility of definition, often used in hypothetical scenarios.

should have been defined

Suggests a past expectation or obligation that the definition should have already occurred.

FAQs

What does "was to be defined" mean?

The phrase "was to be defined" indicates that there was a prior expectation, plan, or arrangement for something to be clarified or specified at a later time. It suggests that the definition was a planned action, rather than something that has already occurred.

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

You can use "was to be defined" when describing a situation where a future clarification was intended. For example, "The success metrics for the campaign "were to be defined" during the planning phase."

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

Alternatives include "was going to be defined", "was intended to be defined", or "was meant to be defined". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "was to be defined" different from "was defined"?

Yes. "Was to be defined" indicates a planned future action of defining something, while "was defined" indicates that the definition has already been completed. The former refers to an intention, the latter to a completed act.