can be broaden

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be broaden" is not correct in English.
The correct form should be "can be broadened." You can use it when discussing the potential for expansion or increase in scope, typically in a context where something can be made wider or more inclusive. Example: "The discussion can be broadened to include more perspectives on the issue."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"How can be broaden the appeal to millennials when he has called for the abolition of the Department of Education and opposed letting students refinance their student loans?" And like many Republican rivals, Democratic party leaders are choosing to focus on Paul's past foreign policy pronouncements, rather than his more hawkish recent comments.

The Guardian

"How can be broaden the appeal to millennials when he has called for the abolition of the Department of Education and opposed letting students refinance their student loans?" The immediate and intense response is also a signal that Democrats are taking Paul's campaign seriously.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Travel can be broadening.

The New York Times - Sports

But the real test will be whether the region's economy can be broadened and deepened.

The Economist

Duncan said he would like to see more shareholders: "If the base can be broadened that can only be a good thing".

The Guardian - Business

But leaders in the region have also used such power on behalf of national security, which can be broadened to encompass far more.

Independent

Some have criticized this practice as "Olympic tourism," but the I.O.C. and international sports federations say the Games' universal appeal can be broadened by including small nations, even if their athletes have not met qualifying standards.

The New York Times - Sports

Their goals can be broadened to include not just successful treatment, he suggested, but also the measures they want taken if they cannot be cured and advice on how to accomplish important tasks that might otherwise be left undone.

The New York Times - Health

Theater artists and producers should be inspired by such work, which embraces theater's singular power: to contemplate our collective reality; as audience, actor and story engage in an unspoken discussion of what reality is, how definitions of reality can be broadened.

The New York Times

But the scope for this can be broadened to some extent by the use of innovative arrangements such as the "Tobin tax" on international financial transactions, and by instituting special drawing rights linked to, but independent of, international financial institutions, for expanding "public goods" (as has recently been proposed by George Soros).

The Economist

According to this study, conservation arrangements can be broadened beyond mere nature protection.

Ocean & Coastal Management

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct past participle form, "broadened", instead of "broaden" after the auxiliary verb "be". Use the expression "can be broadened" to indicate that something has the potential to expand in scope, inclusivity, or understanding.

Common error

Avoid using the base form of the verb "broaden" after "can be". Always use the past participle form, "broadened". Saying "can be broaden" is a common grammatical mistake that should be avoided.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be broaden" is intended as a modal construction indicating possibility, with the auxiliary verb "can" and the passive voice construction "be + past participle". However, it is grammatically incorrect because it uses the base form of the verb "broaden" instead of the past participle.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can be broaden" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "can be broadened". While Ludwig shows a few instances of its usage, the grammatical error makes it an undesirable choice in formal writing. Instead, consider using alternatives like "can be expanded" or "can be widened" to convey a similar meaning. The Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical error suggesting that "can be broadened" is the right expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be broadened

Corrects the grammatical error by using the past participle form of "broaden".

can be expanded

Replaces "broaden" with a synonym that conveys a similar meaning of increasing scope or size.

can be widened

Uses "widen" as an alternative to "broaden", focusing on making something less narrow.

can be extended

Suggests prolonging or increasing the reach of something.

can be increased

Focuses on the quantity or degree being made larger.

can be augmented

Implies adding something to enhance or improve its current state.

can be amplified

Conveys the meaning of intensifying or making something more pronounced.

can be developed

Suggests a process of growth or improvement.

can be enhanced

Focuses on improving the quality or value of something.

can be upgraded

Implies improving something to a higher standard or level.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "can be broaden"?

The grammatically correct way to express this idea is "can be broadened". The term broadened is the past participle of the verb broaden and is required after the auxiliary verb "be".

What does "can be broadened" mean?

The expression "can be broadened" suggests that the scope, range, or understanding of something has the potential to be expanded or made more inclusive. It implies the possibility of growth or development in a particular area.

What can I use instead of "can be broaden"?

Instead of the ungrammatical "can be broaden", you can use phrases like "can be expanded", "can be widened", or "can be extended" to express similar ideas of increasing scope or reach.

How to use "can be broadened" in a sentence?

You can use "can be broadened" in a sentence like: "The discussion can be broadened to include more perspectives on the issue." or "The application of this technology can be broadened to various industries."