was to exist

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was to exist" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a future intention or expectation that something was meant to happen or be present at a certain time in the past. Example: "The plan was to exist in harmony with nature, but circumstances changed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

It was to exist for just three years.

The New York Times

If Lydda was to exist, Zionism could not exist.

The New Yorker

If Zionism was to exist, Lydda could not exist.

The New Yorker

I didn't understand how humiliating it was – to exist as a black man in America – until I saw a cop pull over my dad and call him a "boy", just to fuck with him.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's been twenty years since Michael Kinsley, the former editor of The New Republic, undertook a novel adventure: the creation of a magazine, underwritten by Microsoft, that was to exist primarily in what was then known as "cyberspace".

The New Yorker

That being lean was to exist as a floating, emotionless entity.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Now if a non-existing pink elephant were to exist, that would pose a paradox.

University of California, Berkeley

Each is a questioning of what it is to exist.

The Guardian

So, to live is to exist in a state of constant desire.

The New York Times - Arts

To claim the cross as simply a Christian motif now is to exist in a vacuum.

The Guardian - Opinion

Furthermore, several medical conditions could be dramatically improved if even smaller bioelectronic devices were to exist.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was to exist" when you want to express a past intention, plan, or arrangement for something to be in a certain state or place. Ensure the context clearly indicates that this intention may or may not have been realized.

Common error

Avoid using "was to exist" when you're referring to a current or ongoing situation. Use "is to exist" or "is intended to exist" instead to reflect present intentions or arrangements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was to exist" functions as an infinitive phrase, indicating a planned or intended future state within a past context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to denote a pre-existing condition or expectation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was to exist" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that indicates a past intention or plan for something to be in a particular state. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is often used to express what was intended or expected. While it isn't extremely common, its usage spans various contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Science, with a neutral register. Related phrases include "was intended to exist" and "was meant to exist", offering nuanced alternatives for expressing similar meanings. When using "was to exist", ensure that the context clearly indicates a past intention and avoid confusing it with present tense constructions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was intended to exist

Emphasizes the intention or purpose behind something's existence.

was meant to exist

Highlights the expectation or predetermination of something's existence.

was supposed to exist

Suggests an arrangement or plan for something to be in existence.

was planned to exist

Focuses on the planning stage of something's anticipated existence.

was designed to exist

Highlights the designed or engineered nature of something's intended existence.

was created to exist

Emphasizes the creation or making of something for the purpose of existing.

was destined to exist

Implies a predetermined or inevitable existence.

was conceived to exist

Focuses on the initial conception or idea of something's existence.

was imagined to exist

Highlights the imagined or theoretical nature of something's existence.

was projected to exist

Suggests a forecast or prediction of something's future existence.

FAQs

How can I use "was to exist" in a sentence?

Use "was to exist" to describe a past plan, intention, or expectation for something's existence. For example, "The agreement "was to exist" for five years, but it was terminated early."

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

"Was to exist" refers to a past intention or arrangement, while "is to exist" refers to a current or future intention or arrangement. The former is about something that was planned, whereas the latter is about something currently intended or projected.

What can I say instead of "was to exist"?

You can use alternatives like "was intended to exist", "was meant to exist", or "was supposed to exist" depending on the context.

Is "was to exist" formal or informal?

"Was to exist" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The surrounding language and situation determine the overall formality.