can be appointed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be appointed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the possibility of someone being assigned to a position or role. Example: "The committee has decided that new members can be appointed at the next meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Under state law, a caretaker mayor can be appointed until Mr. Milan's term expires in June.

The New York Times

A fifth person can be appointed to cast a decisive vote when matters are deadlocked.

The New York Times - Sports

Only the concertmaster can be appointed directly by the artistic director, Mr. Levine.

The New York Times - Arts

"I always wanted to be a judge; maybe by the time I am 50 I can be appointed," she said.

The New York Times

Inferior officers of the government can be appointed by the president, the courts or heads of government departments.The stakes are high.

The Economist

Be prepared to serve for only two years, so that a second round of envoys can be appointed before Mr. Obama leaves office.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

A special counsel can also be appointed if there are "extraordinary circumstances" that would cause the appointment to be in the public's interest.

The New York Times

Honorary Benchers can also be appointed, although they have no role in Pension, such as Lord Denning, who was appointed in 1979, and Winston Churchill.

Wikipedia

You can only be appointed by the Pope.

WikiHow

However, keep in mind that you can also be appointed to be a prison warden.

WikiHow

Kremlinologists took this as evidence that Mr. Medvedev can no longer expect to be appointed prime minister in the spring, as Mr. Putin had promised.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can be appointed", ensure the context clearly indicates who has the authority to make the appointment.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating who or what entity holds the power to appoint. For example, instead of "A committee can be appointed", write "The board can appoint a committee".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be appointed" functions as a modal passive construction. The modal verb "can" expresses possibility or permission, while "be appointed" indicates the passive voice, where the subject receives the action of being appointed. Ludwig AI examples show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can be appointed" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to express the possibility or eligibility for a role or position. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase sees frequent use in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, highlighting its versatility and broad applicability. While grammatically correct, it's essential to ensure clarity regarding who holds the authority to make the appointment. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, writers can effectively use "can be appointed" in their communication, choosing the passive form to highlight the receiver of the action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be chosen

Simple alternative focusing on the act of selection.

may be designated

Replaces "can" with "may", suggesting possibility but with a slightly more formal tone.

can be assigned

Implies a more direct assignment rather than a selection process.

could be selected

Emphasizes the possibility of being chosen from a group.

is able to be selected

Highlights the ability of someone to be selected, indicating they meet the criteria.

is eligible to be named

Highlights eligibility as a prerequisite for appointment.

may be nominated

Focus on nomination instead of election, suggesting a more formal setup.

is qualified for selection

Focuses on the qualifications needed for the potential appointment.

is liable to be assigned

Highlights a high probability of an assignment

might be nominated

Suggests a formal process of nomination preceding the appointment.

FAQs

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

Use "can be appointed" to indicate the possibility of someone being assigned to a position or role. For example, "New members "may be designated" at the next meeting".

What are some alternatives to saying "can be appointed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "may be designated", "could be selected", or "is eligible to be named".

Which is correct, "can be appointed" or "can appoint"?

"Can be appointed" is in the passive voice, indicating someone receives the appointment. "Can appoint" is active, meaning someone has the ability to make an appointment. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the receiver or the appointer.

What's the difference between "can be appointed" and "will be appointed"?

"Can be appointed" indicates a possibility, while "will be appointed" suggests a definite future event. "The leader "can be assigned" a mentor" implies it might happen; "The leader will be assigned a mentor" means it is confirmed.