can be active

USAGE SUMMARY

"can be active" is a perfectly valid and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is often used to indicate that someone or something might have the ability to participate in an action or process. For example, "The marketing campaign can be active on both digital and traditional platforms."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

With regard to clinical activity, MTrPs can be active or latent.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

In the humid tropics, frogs can be active throughout the year, but many species are seasonal in their breeding activity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The audience can be active.

The Guardian

"I know if you have the right regimen, you can be active".

The New York Times

Motor neurons for a given muscle can be active during both processes.

Nature

Thus, these muscles can be active during the both preparatory and transport phases of swallowing.

Nature

Each device can have multiple configurations, but only one can be active at a time.

Cornell University

Increasing the amount of time the system can be active has economic advantages as well.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

How many recursive calls to subsequences can be active at the same time?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The children will also be involved in proving Ms. Swados's thesis: that reading can be active, not passive.

The New York Times

"We want a proper government that can be active, with a good police force," said Amadullah, 35, a trader.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can be active" to indicate a potential state or capability, ensuring the context clearly defines what 'active' entails. For example, specify the domain or area where activity is possible: "The ingredient can be active in reducing inflammation."

Common error

Avoid using "can be active" without specifying the context or area of activity. Saying something "can be active" is vague without indicating what it is active in or at. Specify the domain to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be active" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing possibility or potential. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It indicates that something has the ability or capacity to be in an active state, depending on context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

32%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can be active" is a versatile modal verb phrase indicating possibility or potential for action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, including science, news, and academia. While the phrase itself is neutral in register, its meaning is heavily dependent on the context in which it's used. Remember to specify what is active to avoid vagueness. Related phrases like ""can become active"" and ""is potentially active"" offer nuanced alternatives, expanding your expressive options. The high frequency of "can be active" demonstrates its importance in conveying potential or conditional states.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is potentially active

Emphasizes the possibility or likelihood of becoming active in the future.

can become active

Shifts the focus to the process of starting to be active, rather than the current state.

can be dynamic

Changes the focus from a state of being active to a state of being in motion or constantly changing.

can be energetic

Similar to "can be vigorous", but with a slightly broader implication of liveliness and enthusiasm.

can be vigorous

Emphasizes the intensity and energy involved in the activity.

can be activated

Focuses on the trigger or mechanism that initiates the activity.

can be intensive

Highlights the concentrated effort or focus required for the activity.

can be engaged

Implies participation and involvement in the activity.

can be effective

Highlights the potential for achieving a desired outcome through activity.

can be involved

Similar to "can be engaged", highlighting a sense of being part of something.

FAQs

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

Use "can be active" to indicate that something has the potential to be engaged or functional within a specific context. For example, "This ingredient "can be active" in reducing inflammation" or "The marketing campaign "can be active" on social media platforms".

What are some alternatives to "can be active"?

Alternatives include "can become active", "is potentially active", or "can be engaged", depending on the nuance you want to convey. Each alternative slightly shifts the emphasis of the statement.

Is it correct to say "can be activate" instead of "can be active"?

No, "can be activate" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is ""can be active"" or "can be activated". "Active" is an adjective describing a state, while "activate" is a verb meaning to make something active.

What's the difference between "can be active" and "can remain active"?

"Can be active" implies the potential or ability to become active, while "can remain active" suggests the ability to continue being active over a period of time. The latter emphasizes sustained activity.