can accrue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can accrue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the accumulation of something over time, such as interest, benefits, or points. Example: "If you invest your money wisely, it can accrue significant interest over the years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In many cases, travelers can accrue and redeem miles on code-share flights.

The New York Times

It goes without saying: the more life vests you can accrue, the better.

The New Yorker

Travelers with a frequent flier account can accrue miles for practically anything these days.

The New York Times

The benefits from these programs can accrue to the state as well as its citizens.

The Guardian - Opinion

Other bottlenecks have been removed, including rules limiting the debt that companies can accrue.

The Economist

No benefit can accrue from this programme unless students seize the opportunity presented to them.

The Guardian - Books

Here they can accrue profit, blessedly free of UK taxes other than remote gaming duty.

The Guardian - Opinion

And one can accrue numerous personal and professional rewards working for these young organizations.

Harvard Business Review

And can any increase bring joy, where nothing, not even anything good, can accrue?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The child can accrue a streak of snapshots and subsequently get to unlock new characters.

University of California, Berkeley

Employees can accrue up to 40 hours of paid sick leave in any 12 month period.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: "can accrue" is often appropriate in formal or professional settings, but synonyms like "build up" may be better suited for informal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "can accrue to" when you simply mean "can accrue". The phrase "accrue to" implies that the benefits are going to a specific recipient or entity, while "can accrue" focuses on the accumulation itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can accrue" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the potential or ability to accumulate something, such as benefits, interest, or advantages. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can accrue" is a grammatically correct and versatile verb phrase used to describe the potential accumulation of something over time. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English. Its frequency and occurrence across varied contexts like News & Media, Science, and Academia show its broad applicability, while the source quality score confirms its acceptance in authoritative publications. While "can accrue" is widely accepted, users should be mindful of subtle differences in meaning when choosing among alternatives such as "can accumulate" or "can build up". The best practice is to ensure that the context aligns with the gradual and often beneficial accumulation implied by "can accrue".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can accumulate

Substitutes "accrue" with "accumulate", providing a direct synonym with a slightly broader application.

may accumulate

Replaces "can" with "may", suggesting possibility rather than ability; "accumulate" is a more formal synonym for "accrue".

can build up

Uses the phrasal verb "build up" to convey a more gradual and less formal accumulation.

can gain

Offers a simpler and more direct synonym, focusing on the act of obtaining something.

can collect

Suggests gathering items or things, often implying a deliberate effort.

can amass

Implies gathering a large quantity, often of wealth or resources; more emphatic than "accrue".

can generate

Suggests creation or production of something, rather than simple accumulation.

can derive

Implies obtaining or receiving something as a result of something else.

may develop

Emphasizes the progressive growth or emergence of something over time.

can realize

Focuses on the achievement of benefits or profits, often in a business context.

FAQs

How do you use "can accrue" in a sentence?

The phrase "can accrue" is used to describe the accumulation of something, like benefits or interest, over time. For example, "Interest "can accrue" on your savings account daily".

What can I say instead of "can accrue"?

You can use alternatives like "can accumulate", "can build up", or "can gain" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "benefits can accrue to" someone?

Yes, "benefits "can accrue to"" is a correct and common construction, meaning that someone receives or gains the benefits.

What's the difference between "accrue" and "accumulate"?

While both "accrue" and "accumulate" refer to gathering or increasing something over time, "accrue" often implies a more gradual and natural process, especially in financial or legal contexts, whereas "accumulate" is a more general term for gathering or heaping up.