can be affected

USAGE SUMMARY

"can be affected" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is capable of being influenced or impacted by something else. Here's an example: "The stock market can be affected by numerous factors, including economic trends and political events."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Other body functions can be affected.

Harvard University

One or both legs can be affected.

Harvard University

Large wineries can be affected, too.

The New York Times - Food

Also, rainfall, storm surge, and storm size can be affected.

The Guardian

The number of people who can be affected is high.

The New York Times - Health

Even the sense of time can be affected.

The New York Times

People carrying 30 to 40 pounds extra can be affected.

The New York Times

The very size of brain structures can be affected.

The Guardian

And these things can be affected by games.

MIT Technology Review

Dose-response relationships can be affected significantly by time.

Britannica

Either one or both testicles can be affected.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can be affected", ensure the agent causing the effect is clearly identified to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example: "Crop yields can be affected by climate change".

Common error

Avoid overstating the extent to which something "can be affected". Qualify the statement with adverbs like 'slightly', 'significantly', or 'partially' to reflect the true degree of impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be affected" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something is capable of being influenced or changed by an external force. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

26%

News & Media

28%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can be affected" is a grammatically correct and very common construction used to express susceptibility or potential impact. Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous real-world examples indicates that it appears frequently in scientific, news, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the agent causing the effect and accurately representing the scope of the impact. Alternatives like "can be influenced" or "is vulnerable to" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be influenced

This alternative uses 'influenced' instead of 'affected', suggesting a more subtle or indirect impact.

can be impacted

This alternative uses 'impacted', which implies a stronger or more forceful effect.

is susceptible to

This phrase highlights vulnerability and the likelihood of being affected.

is vulnerable to

Similar to 'susceptible', this emphasizes weakness and potential harm.

is subject to

This indicates that something is under the control or influence of something else.

can be altered

This phrase focuses on the potential for change as a result of an external force.

can be changed

A more direct and simple way of expressing that something is not fixed and can be modified.

is prone to

Emphasizes a tendency or likelihood of being affected negatively.

may experience

Suggests that something might undergo a particular effect or condition.

can undergo

Focuses on the process of being subjected to a change or effect.

FAQs

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

Use "can be affected" to indicate that something is susceptible to influence or change by an external factor. For example, "Mental health "can be affected" by stress".

What's the difference between "can be affected" and "can be influenced"?

"Can be affected" generally implies any kind of impact, while "can be influenced" suggests a more directional or persuasive impact.

What are some alternatives to "can be affected"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "is vulnerable to", "is subject to", or "can be impacted".

Is it correct to say "can affect" instead of "can be affected"?

While "can affect" is grammatically correct, it has a different meaning. "Can affect" means something has the ability to cause change, while "can be affected" means something is capable of being changed or influenced.