can be brought

USAGE SUMMARY

"can be brought" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the possibility of something being obtained or acquired. For example, "Fresh groceries can be brought to the island twice a week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Financial crisis cases can be brought by many parties.

The New York Times

Newer models can be brought in through a registered importer.

The New York Times

Denaturation can be brought about in various ways.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Much the same argument can be brought against both theories.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Then maybe one of those prospects can be brought up.

The New York Times

The grand jury determines whether charges can be brought.

The New York Times

Complete elimination of fecundability can be brought about by sterilization.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We have plans that can be brought forward pretty quickly".

The Guardian - Sport

This date can be brought forward, Railtrack will say.

The Guardian

I know the pressures that can be brought to bear.

The Guardian

This can be brought in on breezes from northern Europe.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can be brought" when you want to express the possibility or potential for something to be introduced, achieved, or influenced. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is being brought or what outcome is possible.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions like "can be brought". Active voice often creates a more direct and engaging writing style. Consider rephrasing to emphasize the actor, for example, instead of "changes can be brought about", use "managers can bring about changes".

Linguistic Context

"Can be brought" functions as an auxiliary verb phrase indicating possibility or potential. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase signals that something is capable of being moved, achieved, or caused. Examples from news sources show how charges or plans "can be brought" about, whereas scientific texts describe how changes in metabolic states "can be brought" about.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can be brought" is a versatile auxiliary verb phrase that expresses possibility or potential, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While primarily neutral in tone, it appears more frequently in scientific and news-related sources. When using "can be brought", it's important to consider alternatives like "can be achieved" or "can be obtained" to avoid overusing the passive voice. Ultimately, the phrase's utility lies in its ability to convey the potential for something to be introduced, influenced, or attained.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be attained

Replaces "brought" with "attained", focusing on achieving a certain level or status.

can be achieved

Substitutes "brought" with "achieved", emphasizing the successful accomplishment of something.

can be obtained

Replaces "brought" with "obtained", highlighting the acquisition or gaining of something.

can be influenced

Changes the focus to the possibility of being affected or swayed.

can be realized

Emphasizes the possibility of something becoming a reality.

can be caused

Shifts the emphasis to the possibility of something being the reason for an event.

can be generated

Focuses on the creation or production of something.

can be created

Highlights the potential for something to be made or designed.

can be introduced

Focuses on the potential for something to be presented or implemented.

can be triggered

Highlights the potential for something to be initiated or activated.

FAQs

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

"Can be brought" indicates a possibility. For example, "New evidence "can be brought" to the court" or "Innovation "can be brought" in systematically".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "can be brought"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "can be achieved", "can be obtained", or "can be influenced" as alternatives to "can be brought".

Is "can be brought" formal or informal?

"Can be brought" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

How does the meaning of "can be brought" change with different verbs?

The meaning is significantly affected by the verb used after "can be". For instance, "can be brought forward" means to accelerate something, while "can be brought down" suggests a downfall or reduction.