we would like to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we would like to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a desire or aspiration regarding a state of being or a situation. Example: "In the future, we would like to be recognized as leaders in sustainable technology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We would like to be doing more.

The New York Times

We would like to be understood.

The New York Times

"We discussed where we would like to be buried, how we would like to be disposed of," says Ms Valentine.

Independent

"We would like to be an agent of change.

The New York Times

But, he added, "we would like to be helpful".

The New York Times

But we can choose whose children we would like to be".

The New Yorker

We are not there at the moment, but we would like to be.

Independent

We would like to be seen as a place where one can live, not only die.

The Economist

"But we would like to be an Emersonian Alaska and just get control of our resources".

The New York Times

"We would like to be our own nation," Salih told me.

The New Yorker

"We would like to be friends with other nations," she said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we would like to be" to express a desire or aspiration for a future state. Be specific about what you aspire to be to ensure clarity.

Common error

Ensure that what you "would like to be" is clearly defined. Ambiguous statements can weaken your message and leave room for misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we would like to be" functions as a means of expressing a desire, aspiration, or intention. It indicates a future state that the speaker or group hopes to achieve. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we would like to be" is a versatile phrase used to express desires, aspirations, and intentions. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts make it a valuable addition to any writer's repertoire. This phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, though it also finds application in scientific and formal business contexts. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to clearly define the intended state or goal. For more formal settings, alternatives like "we aspire to be" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we aspire to be

Replaces "would like" with a more formal verb, emphasizing ambition.

we aim to be

Indicates a planned or intended goal, suggesting a concrete objective.

our desire is to be

Emphasizes the desire using a noun phrase, creating a more formal tone.

we hope to be

Expresses a wish or expectation, often with less certainty.

it is our wish to be

More formal and indirect way of expressing a desire.

we are striving to be

Highlights the effort and ongoing process towards achieving a certain state.

we long to be

Conveys a strong, emotional desire, suggesting a deep yearning.

we intend to be

Highlights a firm decision and plan.

we are working towards being

Focuses on the actions and progress being made.

our objective is to be

Clearly states a specific target or goal.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "we would like to be"?

You can use phrases like "we aspire to be" or "it is our wish to be" for a more formal tone.

How can I express a stronger desire than "we would like to be"?

To express a stronger desire, consider using "we long to be" or "we are striving to be".

What's the difference between "we would like to be" and "we hope to be"?

"We would like to be" expresses a general desire, while "we hope to be" suggests a wish or expectation, often with less certainty about the outcome.

When is it best to use "we aim to be" instead of "we would like to be"?

Use "we aim to be" when you want to indicate a planned or intended goal, suggesting a concrete objective, whereas "we would like to be" is a more general expression of desire.