can always be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can always be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is consistently possible or available under certain conditions. Example: "In our organization, collaboration can always be encouraged to foster innovation and creativity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It can always be renegotiated.

The New York Times

We can always be better.

Cornell University

I can always be a cook".

The New Yorker

However a machine can always be repaired.

The Economist

It can always be fixed or improved".

The New York Times

There can always be disputes".

The New York Times

It can always be adjusted.

The Guardian

You can always be playing.

The Guardian - Tech

"They can always be worse".

The New York Times - Magazine

You can always be better".

The New York Times

Both can always be built.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can always be" to indicate flexibility and potential for adjustment or improvement in plans and strategies. For example: "The project timeline can always be adjusted based on new data."

Common error

Avoid using "can always be" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. More precise or sophisticated language might be appropriate. For instance, instead of "The results can always be questioned", consider "The validity of the results remains open to question."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can always be" functions as a modal construction expressing possibility or potential with a sense of ongoing availability or recurrence. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across a wide range of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can always be" is a versatile modal construction used to indicate possibility, flexibility, and continuous potential. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, primarily in news, media, and general communication. While acceptable in professional settings, more formal alternatives may be preferable in academic or scientific writing. Remember that it suggests adaptability and ongoing opportunities for change or improvement. Overusing it in formal contexts should be avoided to maintain precision and sophistication in language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is consistently possible

Emphasizes the ongoing possibility of something.

has the potential to be

Highlights the inherent possibility of something developing in a certain way.

remains a possibility

Highlights that something continues to be a potential outcome.

could potentially exist

Expresses the possibility of something's existence.

is invariably the case

Focuses on the consistent truth or occurrence of something.

is open to

Suggests accessibility or willingness to consider something.

is perpetually available

Stresses the constant accessibility of something.

is ever present

Highlights the continuous presence of something.

might continuously arise

Focuses on the recurring possibility of something happening.

is subject to

Indicates something that might occur.

FAQs

How do I use "can always be" in a sentence?

Use "can always be" to express the possibility or availability of something in various contexts. For example, "Improvements "can always be made" to the system" or "The schedule "can always be changed" if needed".

What are some alternatives to "can always be"?

Alternatives include "is consistently possible", "remains a possibility", or "has the potential to be", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "can always be" too informal for academic writing?

While "can always be" is generally acceptable, academic writing may benefit from more formal alternatives, such as "it is consistently possible" or "it remains a possibility", to maintain a higher level of formality.

What does "can always be" imply about the subject?

"Can always be" suggests that the subject is flexible, adaptable, or has the potential for continuous change or improvement. It implies that there are options or possibilities that "remain open".