can be acted upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be acted upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is subject to action or influence by someone or something else. Example: "The proposal can be acted upon once it receives the necessary approvals from the board."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

For Anselm, then, it is obvious that a being who is in no way passive, who cannot experience anything of which he is not himself the origin, is better and greater than any being who can be acted upon by something outside himself.

SEP

All the statutes and acts are acting up on the "person", and if you're admitting to being a person, you are admitting to be a corporation that can be acted upon for commerce.

The Guardian - Opinion

"They see that their decisions can be acted upon, but also sometimes that they won't be.

The Guardian

Knowing they are as accountable as the managers, general managers often act before they can be acted upon.

The New York Times - Sports

Actually, if his case demonstrates anything, it's how effective parole can be, and how quickly the conditions of a licence can be acted upon.

The Guardian - Opinion

By contrast, the animal cells in meat are not encased in nondigestible matter and can be acted upon directly by digestive enzymes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

But what has changed in recent years is the speed at which that information can be acted and built upon across the nation or around the world.

The New York Times

And a retracted confession in our jurisdiction can still be acted upon if you have corroboration.

The New York Times

Complaints from people not affected by an article can only be acted upon by Ipso if they highlight a factual inaccuracy.

The Guardian

But we're processing way more data there …and presenting precise, detailed information that can then be acted upon out on the track".

TechCrunch

Once you have a DESIRE for something, this DESIRE will transform into an IDEA, which can then be acted upon in order to achieve success.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can be acted upon", ensure the agent performing the action is clear either from the context or by explicitly stating it. For example, "The recommendations can be acted upon by the committee" clarifies who will take action.

Common error

Avoid vague sentences where it's unclear who or what is performing the action. Instead of "The problem can be acted upon", specify "The problem can be acted upon by the engineering team".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be acted upon" functions as a passive voice verb phrase. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in describing the potential for something to be influenced or modified, emphasizing its susceptibility to external action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can be acted upon" is a versatile phrase used to describe the potential for something to be influenced or changed by action. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and widely used, as evidenced by numerous examples from diverse sources like news, science, and encyclopedias. While it’s crucial to ensure clarity regarding the agent performing the action, this phrase remains a valuable tool for expressing possibilities and recommendations in various contexts. Alternatives such as "can be influenced" or "can be affected" can be used for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be influenced

Alternative that maintains the core meaning with direct influence.

can be affected

Simplifies the phrase while maintaining the core meaning of being influenced.

is susceptible to action

Replaces the passive verb construction with a more direct statement of susceptibility.

is open to influence

Focuses on the potential for something to be changed or affected.

is subject to modification

Highlights the possibility of changes being made.

is liable to be influenced

Emphasizes the probability of being affected.

is responsive to action

Highlights the capacity to react to actions.

is amenable to intervention

Suggests the possibility of deliberate involvement or interference.

is receptive to change

Focuses on the openness to undergoing alteration.

is vulnerable to effects

Highlights potential for negative consequences.

FAQs

What does "can be acted upon" mean?

The phrase "can be acted upon" means something is able to be influenced or changed by an action. It indicates that something is susceptible to being affected.

How can I use "can be acted upon" in a sentence?

You can use "can be acted upon" to describe a situation where decisions, recommendations, or data are able to be used as a basis for taking action. For example, "The data collected can be acted upon to improve efficiency."

What are some alternatives to "can be acted upon"?

Alternatives to "can be acted upon" include "can be influenced", "can be affected", or "is subject to modification", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "can be acted upon" and "can be relied upon"?

Yes, while both phrases use "can be", they have different meanings. "Can be acted upon" means something is able to be influenced or changed by an action, while "can be relied upon" means something is dependable or trustworthy.