How to Use to-be in a Sentence

to-be

adjective
  • The streamer just dropped the first five episodes of a sure-to-be chaotic season, and there's a lot to unpack.
    — Jacqueline Tempera, Women's Health, 24 Mar. 2023
  • The Cavaliers could be one of those happy-to-be-there teams, where two or three wins in the first round might sate them.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2023
  • And, of course, soon-to-be trendy handbags from emerging brands like Puppets and Puppets, and Pipatchara.
    — Frances Solá-Santiago, refinery29.com, 16 Feb. 2023
  • Two suspects have pleaded guilty in the killing of a young father-to-be who was killed during a robbery more than three years ago.
    — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 28 Feb. 2023
  • Westbrook’s soon-to-be current and former teams will face each other on April 5.
    — Staff Writer follow, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2023
  • Add in a grim economy and the result is shaky confidence for some soon-to-be college grads.
    — Alexandra Sternlicht, Fortune, 17 Feb. 2023
  • This mighty name is perfect for your soon-to-be adventurer.
    — Jamie Ballard, Woman's Day, 23 Mar. 2023
  • And the worst part is that neither is likely to find someone who will understand that more than their soon-to-be-ex-partner.
    — Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 26 Mar. 2023
  • While many people go to church and find solace, absolution or inner peace – Pratt went to church and found his wife-to-be.
    — Christian Edwards, CNN, 5 Apr. 2023
  • The soon-to-be former couple ends the scene lying on a bed, agreeing in their exhaustion to sleep next to (but not with) each other for one more night.
    — Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Mar. 2023
  • Forever is a long time to be stuck with the wrong china (or spouse for that matter), but have no fear: Rachel Zoe is here to help brides and grooms-to-be (with the former, not the latter).
    — Lindzi Scharf, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2023
  • The soon-to-be-launched Infinity 42 is basically the same BluE tech in monohull form.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Feb. 2023
  • Although the soon-to-be mom of two wore them after performing for a cool 118 million people, the plush pink slippers are perfect for lounging around the house, too.
    — Claire Harmeyer, Peoplemag, 18 Feb. 2023
  • In doing so, Henry cast doubt on Richard’s claim to the throne and strengthened his own hold on power by legitimizing his soon-to-be wife, Elizabeth of York.
    — Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Mar. 2023
  • My youngest came downstairs crying and displayed a text from her mother’s soon-to-be-ex, which didn’t only throw mom under the bus, but completely napalmed her.
    — Amy Dickinson, Anchorage Daily News, 25 Mar. 2023
  • As people began to discuss who might fill Young’s position last year, Peltola looked around at her soon-to-be empty nest.
    — Madison Feller, ELLE, 28 Mar. 2023
  • The two-time and soon-to-be three-time MVP is one of the most talented offensive forces in the league's history, though his road to becoming a complete player was a more arduous one.
    — Michael Shapiro, Chron, 1 Mar. 2023
  • In the 2005 romantic comedy, Fonda plays Viola, the reluctant soon-to-be mother-in-law of Charlie (Lopez).
    — Brie Stimson, Fox News, 25 Mar. 2023
  • Access to maternal care is already limited for mothers and mothers-to-be in rural areas.
    — Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2023
  • With a sure-to-be massive Joe Burrow extension looming, every dollar matters.
    — Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2023
  • But the other actors in the band are quite charming (especially Suki Waterhouse as a rad keyboardist and Sebastian Chacon as the happy-to-be-here drummer).
    — Leah Greenblatt and Darren Franich, EW.com, 3 Mar. 2023
  • The expecting mother-to-be says her new sleepwear pieces also double as great maternitywear.
    — André-Naquian Wheeler, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2023
  • Photo: Courtesy of Neiman Marcus Every season, a new selection of soon-to-be bestsellers hits our favorite fashion retailers.
    — Irina Grechko, refinery29.com, 21 Mar. 2023
  • There is a clear danger to this trend of slightly unrealistic but realistic-enough-to-be-believable images.
    — Anne Branigin, Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2023
  • Cruz, who waged a bitter campaign against the then New York businessman and reality television star, refused to endorse the soon-to-be Republican nominee on the convention floor.
    — Gromer Jeffers Jr., Dallas News, 24 Mar. 2023
  • When choosing luggage, to-be travelers tend to look for style, quality, space, ease of maneuverability, and, of course, durability.
    — Naydeline Mejia, Women's Health, 31 Mar. 2023
  • Coughlan glowed in Penelope's wedding dress and shared a look with her husband-to-be, Colin.
    — Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'to-be.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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