Constitute

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The verb you use when “to be” — the foundational verb of the English language — the very bedrock from which Descartes derived our existence as intellectual beings — won’t do.

Usage: if you really feel the need to state the negative, and something like “this is not financial advice” seems insufficiently portentous, try “this material shall not constitute, or be deemed to constitute, financial advice.”

The present indicative form of the verb be must be the most rudimentary expression of meaning in the English language. It is only right that legal eagles should bastardise it. As René Descartes’ legal team is rumoured to have said, “cogito, ergo sum, or I shall for the time being, be engaged in cognitive activity; as a direct consequence thereof, I shall be deemed to be constituted.”

See also

• I never said it was