were to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used as a form of the verb "to be" in conditional sentences. For example, "If the weather were to be bad, then we might need to change our plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Violators were to be beheaded.

The Economist

Never were, to be honest.

The New Yorker

Distractions were to be eliminated.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They were to be humiliated.

Independent

Bridges were to be closed; roads, too.

The New York Times

There were to be no women".

Independent

Some 440 jobs were to be created.

The New York Times

Significantly, the judges were to be elected.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ministers were to be members of parliament.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There were to be seventeen churches.

The New Yorker

And indeed none were to be seen.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were to be" to indicate a planned or expected future event, especially when describing arrangements or intentions that have already been decided upon. For example, "The new regulations "were to be" implemented by the end of the year."

Common error

Avoid using "were to be" when a simple past tense or past continuous tense is more appropriate. For instance, instead of saying "The meeting "were to be" happening yesterday," use "The meeting happened yesterday" or "The meeting was happening yesterday."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were to be" functions as a modal construction indicating a planned or expected future event. It sets up a condition or arrangement that was anticipated. Examples in Ludwig show it is often used to describe agreements, schedules, or intended outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

23%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were to be" is a versatile modal construction used to indicate planned or expected future events. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and frequently employed across various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and scientific writing. While its register leans towards neutral to formal, it remains suitable for expressing intentions and arrangements. Common alternatives include phrases like "were supposed to be" and "were going to be", offering subtle variations in emphasis. Remember to use "were to be" with plural subjects and avoid using it where simple past or past continuous tenses are more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were going to be

Expresses a future intention or plan.

were supposed to be

Suggests an expectation or agreement about a future event.

were meant to be

Indicates an intended or designed outcome.

were planned to be

Stresses the planning or preparation for a future event.

were scheduled to be

Highlights a planned or timetabled future event.

were intended to be

Focuses on the purpose or aim of a future action.

were designed to be

Highlights the design or purpose behind a future state.

were destined to be

Emphasizes a sense of inevitability or predetermination.

were created to be

Focuses on the creation or making of something for a future state.

were anticipated to be

Indicates that something was expected or foreseen in the future.

FAQs

How can I use "were to be" in a sentence?

"Were to be" is used to describe an action or event that was planned or expected to happen in the future. For example, "The documents "were to be signed" on Friday."

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

"Were to be" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "They "were to be married""), while "was to be" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "He "was to be the leader"").

What are some alternatives to "were to be"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "were supposed to be", "were going to be", or "were expected to be".

Is it correct to use "were to be" in formal writing?

Yes, "were to be" is perfectly acceptable in formal writing. It adds a sense of formality and intention, making it suitable for describing planned events or arrangements. Using phrases like "were intended to be" can also enhance formality.