and so can

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "and so can" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are talking about two or more people having the ability to do something. For example: "I can swim, and so can my brother."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

So many people have, and so can you!

Huffington Post

And so can you.

The New York Times - Books

And so can some antibiotics.

The Economist

And so can we.

The Guardian - Opinion

And so can movies.

The New York Times

And so can Bates.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

And so can Taylor.

The Guardian - Books

And so can song".

The New York Times - Arts

And so can voting.

The New York Times

And so can they.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Many women approaching menopause can relate--and so can Mike Coleman.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "and so can" to efficiently express that another subject shares the same ability or possibility described in a previous statement. It avoids repetition and maintains a smooth flow in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "and so can" when the verbs in the two clauses don't align. For example, instead of saying "I will go, and so can I", which is redundant, ensure the auxiliary verb matches the subject and intended meaning, such as "I will go, and so can you".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "and so can" functions as a conjunction, linking two clauses by indicating that the action or ability described in the first clause also applies to the subject of the second clause. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage for expressing shared abilities or possibilities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

22%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "and so can" is a grammatically correct and commonly used conjunction phrase for expressing shared abilities or possibilities. As Ludwig AI pointed out, its function is to efficiently link two clauses, indicating that the action or ability described in the first clause also applies to the second. It maintains a neutral register, making it appropriate for various writing styles and source types. The most frequent contexts in which it appears are News & Media, Academia, and Science. To ensure correct usage, remember to maintain verb agreement between the clauses and avoid redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

someone too can do it

This alternative adds emphasis to the inclusion of another person, making it clear they also possess the ability.

another person can also

This alternative clearly specifies that another individual possesses the same capability, using straightforward language.

others are also able to

This generalizes the ability to multiple people, emphasizing the shared capability among a group.

someone else is capable of

This phrase uses "capable of" to express the ability, which is a more formal and slightly stronger assertion than "can".

the same is true for someone

This phrase connects the truth of a statement to another person, highlighting that the characteristic or ability applies to them as well.

similarly, one can

This alternative uses "similarly" to indicate a parallel action, emphasizing the shared capability in a more formal tone.

in the same way, a person can

This phrase introduces the shared capability by drawing a parallel, suggesting a similar method or approach is possible.

likewise, someone is able to

This option introduces a different subject performing the action, emphasizing their ability in a way that mirrors the original statement.

the same applies to

This phrase highlights that the previous statement is also relevant or true for another subject, shifting the focus to application rather than direct capability.

it's also possible for someone to

This variant broadens the statement to indicate possibility rather than direct ability, making it less assertive.

FAQs

How do I use "and so can" in a sentence?

Use "and so can" to indicate that another subject has the same ability or possibility as the one previously mentioned. For example, "She speaks French, and so can her brother".

What are some alternatives to "and so can"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "similarly, one can", "likewise, someone is able to", or "another person can also".

Is there a more formal way to say "and so can"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "the same applies to" or "it's also possible for someone to" to sound more formal. However, "and so can" is acceptable in most contexts.

Can "and so can" be used to express possibilities, not just abilities?

Yes, "and so can" can express both abilities and possibilities. For example, "The event might be canceled, and so can the following meeting" expresses a possibility, not an ability.