can afford

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can afford" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in any situation where someone is able to pay for something or has enough money to buy something. For example: "I'm saving up my money so that I can afford to buy a car."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

* Both can afford it.

Independent

I can afford to".

The New York Times

You can afford it.

The New Yorker

You can afford that.

The New York Times

I can afford it.' ".

The New York Times

She can afford to relax.

The Economist

And you can afford it.

The New York Times

"It's all they can afford".

The New York Times

"How many can afford one?

The New York Times

And we can afford them.

The New York Times

Students can afford nothing less.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the context. Use "can afford" when you want to clearly state someone's financial capability to purchase something or undertake an activity. Ensure the subject has been clearly identified to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming "can afford" solely refers to immediate financial capability. Sometimes, it implies a sustainable financial commitment. Ensure your sentence clarifies whether it's a one-time purchase or an ongoing expense that the subject "can afford".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can afford" functions as a verb phrase expressing the subject's financial capability to purchase or undertake something. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

15%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academic

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can afford" is a versatile expression indicating the financial capability to acquire goods or services. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used across diverse contexts. The phrase finds frequent application in News & Media, Wiki, and Science domains, conveying information or assertions regarding financial abilities. When seeking alternatives, consider options like "have the money for" or "be able to pay for" to convey a similar meaning. Understanding the nuances of "can afford" ensures clarity and precision in your writing, as the phrase is used to express the ability to pay for something in both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have the money for

Focuses specifically on having the necessary funds.

be able to pay for

Emphasizes the capability of making a payment.

have the resources for

Broader, encompassing resources beyond just money.

be in a position to buy

Highlights the favorable circumstances enabling a purchase.

manage to purchase

Implies effort or planning to make the purchase possible.

meet the expense of

More formal, suggesting the ability to cover costs.

bear the cost of

Highlights shouldering the financial burden.

financially support

Focuses on the monetary aspect of providing for something.

handle the financial burden

Emphasizes the weight and ability to manage monetary demands.

budget for

Indicates planned allocation of funds.

FAQs

How to use "can afford" in a sentence?

Use "can afford" to express the ability to pay for something. For instance, "I can afford a new car" or "They can't afford to go on vacation this year".

What can I say instead of "can afford"?

You can use alternatives like "have the money for", "be able to pay for", or "be in a position to buy", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "could afford" instead of "can afford"?

"Could afford" indicates a past ability or a conditional ability. "I could afford it last year" means you had the means in the past. "I could afford it if I saved more" means it's a possibility with a condition. "Can afford" indicates a present ability.

What's the difference between "can afford" and "worth the cost"?

"Can afford" refers to the financial ability to pay for something. "Worth the cost" refers to whether the benefits or value received are justified by the price. You "can afford" something that isn't "worth the cost", and vice versa.