can be committed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be committed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that an action or behavior is possible to carry out or perform, often in a legal or moral context. Example: "Certain crimes can be committed without the perpetrator being aware of their actions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But this is no reason to expect that crimes can be committed with impunity".

The Guardian

Agreements that can be committed to paper today will shape the debates of tomorrow.

The Guardian

This offence, known as child cruelty, can be committed by failing to provide medical assistance.

The Guardian

"Any business can be committed to measuring their impact and start using business as a force for good," Kerr says.

The Guardian

"Blasphemy can be committed only if issues are raised about the period after the holy Prophet declared his prophethood.

The New York Times

This wait means the workers can be committed to one company, with restricted opportunities to advance or change jobs.

The New York Times

He added: "It would mean that terrorism can be committed by acts that are themselves entirely lawful and … can be entirely lawful".

The Guardian

And they can be committed, first and foremost, not to the imposition of their own religious beliefs, but to the creation and flourishing of a just society.

The New York Times

"It's a sad day when a crime can be committed and the person who commits it can be back in school because of an alleged civil right".

The New York Times

Such assignments would test the emerging doctrine that American forces can be committed only when America's own casualties are likely to be zero.

The New York Times

"Insider trading is the worst offense that can be committed in this industry," said Michael Watson, director of the commission's enforcement branch, in an interview.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotation of "committed." While generally neutral, in some contexts it may imply a negative action, such as a crime. Choose synonyms like "carried out" or "performed" for a more neutral tone if needed.

Common error

Avoid using "can be committed" when an active voice would be clearer and more direct. For instance, instead of "Mistakes can be committed by anyone," consider "Anyone can make mistakes."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be committed" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating possibility or permissibility. As shown by Ludwig, this is used to express that an action is possible to carry out, often referring to crimes, errors, or allocation of resources. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

27%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can be committed" is a grammatically sound and widely used modal verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts, it serves to express the possibility of an action or event. While generally neutral in tone, awareness of connotations is important. For alternative phrasings, "may be perpetrated", "could be carried out", and "might be enacted" offer similar meanings with nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be perpetrated

Replaces "committed" with perpetrated, which gives the same meaning of committing an act but in a more formal register.

may be perpetrated

Replaces "committed" with a more formal synonym, suggesting execution or performance of an act, often negative.

can be perpetrated

This alternative uses 'perpetrated' instead of 'committed', indicating the act is often negative or harmful.

could be carried out

Emphasizes the potential for execution or completion, focusing on the action being performed.

can be executed

This alternative focuses on the performance or completion of a task or plan.

might be enacted

Implies the potential for a law, rule, or event to be put into effect or acted out.

can be perpetrated by

Adds 'by' to specify the agent or actor, focusing on who is capable of performing the action.

is liable to be done

Highlights the susceptibility or probability of an action occurring, suggesting a tendency or risk.

can be a risk

Shifts the focus to the potential danger or hazard, rather than the act itself.

is capable of being done

Emphasizes the inherent ability or capacity for something to be accomplished.

FAQs

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

"Can be committed" indicates possibility or permissibility. For example, "Crimes "can be committed" without intent" or "Resources "can be committed" to a project".

What can I say instead of "can be committed"?

You can use alternatives like "may be perpetrated", "could be carried out", or "might be enacted" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "crimes can be committed by accident"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. It means crimes might happen unintentionally. A similar sentence is: "Crimes "can be committed" without intent".

What's the difference between "can be committed" and "must be committed"?

"Can be committed" indicates a possibility, while "must be committed" indicates an obligation or necessity. For example, "Mistakes can be committed by anyone" versus "Resources must be committed to the project".