be viewed

USAGE SUMMARY

"be viewed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that can be seen or observed. For example: "The painting should be viewed in its original context".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Many can be viewed online.

The Economist

It can be viewed here.

The New York Times

They exist to be viewed.

Independent

This allows performance information to be viewed.

The Economist

"It can be viewed as a positive.

The New York Times - Sports

The full survey can be viewed here.

The New York Times

Council meetings can also be viewed online.

The New York Times

It should be viewed as an unacceptable.

Independent

His artwork can be viewed at johngreenwald.com.

The New York Times

Family planning cannot be viewed in isolation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Set times can be viewed at tocsquash.com.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be viewed", ensure the subject is capable of being seen or considered. For instance, "The data can be viewed as evidence" is correct, but "The emotion can be viewed" might be less direct and require clarification.

Common error

While "be viewed" is grammatically sound, overuse in contexts where an active voice would be more direct can weaken your writing. Opt for active verbs when appropriate to maintain clarity and conciseness. For example, instead of "The audience can be viewed from the balcony", consider "You can view the audience from the balcony".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be viewed" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject is receiving the action of viewing. Ludwig AI shows that it is often used to describe how something is seen, considered, or interpreted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

32%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be viewed" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive verb phrase. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves to describe how something is seen, considered, or understood. Its use is appropriate across various contexts, primarily in news, academic, and scientific settings. While it's a versatile phrase, writers should be mindful of choosing the active voice for clearer and more direct communication when appropriate. Remember that while "be viewed" is generally appropriate, alternatives like "be seen" or "be considered" may be more suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be seen

Focuses solely on the visual aspect, omitting the consideration or judgment implied in "be viewed".

be observed

Highlights the act of watching or noticing, suggesting a more active form of perception than "be viewed".

be regarded

Shifts the focus to how something is considered or thought about, rather than simply seen.

be considered

Emphasizes a deliberate process of thought or evaluation, which "be viewed" doesn't necessarily imply.

be perceived

Highlights how something is understood or interpreted, adding a layer of subjective understanding.

be inspected

Implies a closer, more detailed examination than simply being viewed.

be scrutinized

Suggests a critical and thorough examination, often with the intent to find flaws.

be witnessed

Focuses on being present at an event or occurrence, rather than simply seeing something.

be envisioned

Shifts the context to imagining or foreseeing something, a mental act of viewing.

be apparent

Indicates that something is easily seen or understood, implying obviousness.

FAQs

How can I use "be viewed" in a sentence?

You can use "be viewed" to describe how something is seen or considered. For example, "The results can "be viewed" as a success" or "The issue should "be viewed" from all angles".

What are some alternatives to "be viewed"?

Alternatives include phrases like "be seen", "be regarded", "be considered", or "be perceived", each offering a slightly different nuance.

Is it always better to use an active voice instead of the passive "be viewed"?

Not always. While active voice often enhances clarity, passive constructions like "be viewed" are useful when the actor is unknown or unimportant, or when emphasizing the object of the action is more important than the actor. For example, if the focus is on an object that can be viewed and not on who's viewing it.

Which is correct, "can be viewed" or "can viewed"?

"Can "be viewed"" is correct. The auxiliary verb "be" is necessary in the passive voice construction to form a grammatically correct sentence. "Can viewed" is missing this crucial element and is incorrect.