can be associated with

USAGE SUMMARY

"can be associated with" is an accepted and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it when making a comparison or linking two ideas. For example: The smell of summer rain can be associated with a feeling of renewal and hope.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Alcoholism can be associated with uncontrolled triglycerides).

The New York Times - Arts

What possible depth of thought can be associated with such fast replies?

The Guardian - Opinion

"The gender difference can be associated with the different ways young men and young women respond to distress," she said.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is simple to say that people get tired — but many emotions and actions can be associated with that state.

The New Yorker

They can be associated with genitourinary anomalies.

Insights into Imaging

ERCP can be associated with serious complications.

Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Obviously, not all faradaic processes can be associated with pseudocapacitance.

Electrochimica Acta

They can be associated with fibrous dysplasia (Mazabraud's syndrome).

Insights into Imaging

The difference can be associated with the experimental conditions.

Nanoscale Research Letters

It can be associated with dentigerous cysts or impacted teeth.

Insights into Imaging

ASE systems can be associated with a communication policy (c).

European Transport Research Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can be associated with", ensure that the association is clearly defined and supported by evidence. Avoid vague or unsubstantiated claims.

Common error

Avoid implying a direct causal relationship when using "can be associated with" if the connection is merely correlational. Use more precise language when causality is established.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be associated with" functions as a verb phrase in the passive voice. It indicates a potential relationship or connection between two subjects, suggesting that one thing might be linked to another. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use across various domains to express such associations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can be associated with" is a versatile and common expression used to indicate a potential relationship or connection between two elements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English. Its function is to suggest a link without necessarily implying causation, making it suitable for neutral and informative contexts. While highly prevalent in scientific, news, and formal writing, it's important to avoid overstating causation when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be linked to

Focuses more on a direct link or connection between two things.

can be related to

Suggests a relationship, but might not be a direct cause-and-effect.

may be connected to

Introduces more uncertainty or possibility in the connection.

might be tied to

Implies a strong dependency or influence.

can result from

Indicates a potential cause-and-effect relationship, reversing the direction.

is sometimes seen with

Highlights a co-occurrence rather than a direct relationship.

is often found in conjunction with

Emphasizes the simultaneous presence of two elements.

is known to correlate with

Focuses on statistical correlation, without implying causation.

is a potential consequence of

Points to a possible outcome or result.

shares a connection with

Highlights a shared link or attribute.

FAQs

How can I use "can be associated with" in a sentence?

Use "can be associated with" to suggest a relationship or connection between two things, such as "Stress "can be associated with" various health problems".

What can I say instead of "can be associated with"?

You can use alternatives like "can be linked to", "can be related to", or "may be connected to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "can be associated with" or "is associated with"?

"Can be associated with" implies a possibility or potential relationship, while "is associated with" suggests a more definite or established connection. The choice depends on the strength of the evidence.

What's the difference between "can be associated with" and "can result from"?

"Can be associated with" implies a correlation or connection, while "can result from" suggests a cause-and-effect relationship. "Smoking "can be associated with" lung cancer" suggests a link, while "Lung cancer can result from smoking" implies that smoking causes lung cancer.