would like to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"would like to be" is a perfectly valid and usable part of a sentence in written English.
For example, you could use it in a sentence like: "I would like to be the best I can be."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She would like to be a ballerina.

The New York Times

She would like to be there".

The New York Times

We would like to be doing more.

The New York Times

Love comrades would like to be communists!

The Economist

"I would like to be like him.

Independent

I would like to be something good.

The New York Times - Arts

I would like to be intelligently holy.

The New Yorker

"They would like to be like you.

The New York Times - Sports

"I would like to be something special".

The New York Times

He would like to be a veterinarian.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Obama Administration would like to be.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would like to be" when expressing a polite or formal desire. It's suitable for both spoken and written English.

Common error

In very casual settings, "want to be" may sound more natural. Overusing "would like to be" in informal conversations can make you sound overly formal or stiff.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would like to be" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a desire, intention, or aspiration. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it's commonly used to state what someone wishes to become or achieve.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Science

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "would like to be" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to express desires, intentions, and aspirations in a polite and moderately formal manner. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts. Predominantly found in news, academic, and business settings, it maintains a neutral to professional tone. While "want to be" serves as a more direct alternative, "would like to be" is preferred for its politeness. Remember to use it judiciously in very informal situations to avoid sounding overly formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desire to be

Replaces "would like" with the more direct "desire", indicating a strong wish.

wish to be

Substitutes "would like" with "wish", conveying a sense of longing or hope.

want to be

Uses the more informal "want" instead of "would like", making it less formal.

aspire to be

Replaces "would like" with "aspire", suggesting a higher level of ambition.

hope to be

Conveys a sense of optimism and anticipation, rather than a direct desire.

aim to be

Indicates a planned effort or goal to achieve a certain state.

intend to be

Expresses a firm plan or decision to be something.

plan to be

Similar to intend, but with a focus on the planning aspect.

have a desire to be

Emphasizes the feeling of wanting something to exist.

it is my ambition to be

Highlights personal ambition as the reason for wanting something to be.

FAQs

How can I use "would like to be" in a sentence?

Use "would like to be" to express a desire or aspiration, for example, "I "would like to be a doctor"" or "They "would like to be involved" in the project".

What are some alternatives to "would like to be"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "want to be", "desire to be", or "aspire to be".

Is "would like to be" formal or informal?

"Would like to be" is generally considered more formal than "want to be" but is appropriate in most situations. The level of formality depends on the overall context and your intended audience.

What is the difference between "would like to be" and "want to be"?

"Would like to be" is a more polite and formal way of expressing a desire, while "want to be" is more direct and informal. Use "would like to be" in professional or polite contexts.