can be change

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be change" is not correct in English.
It should be "can be changed." You can use the corrected phrase when discussing the potential for something to be modified or altered. Example: "The schedule can be changed if necessary to accommodate everyone's availability."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

There can be change.

The New York Times

"We should be thinking about how we can be change agents," said the college's provost, Len Clark.

The New York Times

I was very moved that the stage was given to the leaders of this movement and the people who can be change agents.

The New York Times

This can ensure that they develop sustainability-educated and empowered students, who can be change agents in making societies more sustainable.

Journal of Cleaner Production

Cable news programs are seen by their producers as reflecting the roiling emotions of the citizenry more directly than other media do - the anger, the disappointment, the disillusionment with politics and the belief that through the political process, there can be change.

The New York Times

But despite the evidence piling up of how misleading it can be, change in African countries continues to be examined through its reflection in western mirrors rather than for itself – and "the rise and rise of the African middle class," as Deloitte called it, is no exception.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

"Laws can be changed.

The Guardian

Public opinion can be changed.

The New Yorker

And culture can be changed.

The Economist

And that can be changed".

The New York Times

It can be changed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the past participle form of "change" (changed) when using "can be" to ensure grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using the base form "change" after "can be". Always use the past participle "changed". For example, say "The settings can be changed" instead of "The settings can be change".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be change" functions as a verb phrase, expressing the potential for transformation. However, it's grammatically incorrect, as the past participle "changed" is required after "be". As Ludwig AI indicates, this is a common error.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "can be change" appears in various sources, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "can be changed". According to Ludwig AI, using the base form "change" after "can be" is a common error. To ensure accuracy, replace "can be change" with alternatives such as "can be modified" or "can be altered". Pay close attention to using the past participle form to maintain grammatical correctness, and avoid using "can be change" in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be modified

Replaces "change" with its past participle form, correcting the grammar.

can be altered

Uses a synonym for "change" in its past participle form, correcting the grammar.

can be transformed

Substitutes with a more dramatic term for a more significant change.

can be adjusted

Suggests a slight modification or refinement.

is subject to change

Emphasizes the possibility of future modification.

can undergo changes

Highlights the process of change rather than the state.

can experience modification

A more formal and verbose way of saying 'can be modified'.

can have changes made

Expresses the possibility of changes being implemented by an external agent.

can be converted

Implies a change from one form or state to another.

is liable to be changed

Indicates a higher probability of change, often due to external factors.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say something might change?

The grammatically correct way to express that something might change is to use "can be changed". The term "can be change" is grammatically incorrect.

What are some alternatives to "can be changed"?

Alternatives include "can be modified", "can be altered", or "is subject to change", depending on the specific context.

Is "can be change" ever correct?

No, "can be change" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct form is "can be changed".

How does "can be changed" differ from "can change"?

"Can be changed" is passive, indicating something is acted upon. "Can change" is active, meaning something has the ability to change something else. For example, "The rules can be changed" (passive) versus "Technology can change society" (active).