can be condemned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be condemned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions, behaviors, or situations that are deemed unacceptable or wrong and warrant criticism or punishment. Example: "The actions of the company can be condemned for their lack of ethical standards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"An Elder of the Jews can be condemned," he says.

The New Yorker

This is because intentional harms can be condemned for another salient reason: the agent's malicious intent.

Nature

Once somebody is deemed a political enemy, his whole family can be condemned to forced labour too.

The Economist

Take your pick - my retrospective reservations can be condemned either as pure philistinism or sheer intellectual snobbery.

The Guardian - Opinion

"No one can be condemned forever, because that is not the logic of the Gospel!" the exhortation says.

The New York Times

Far less likely to vote, they can be condemned to a future of job and housing insecurity, debt and falling living standards, with few political consequences.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

How can 'terrorism' be condemned while war crimes go without rebuke?

The Guardian - Opinion

And efforts by unions to block that manoeuvre can then be condemned as "restrictions on capital flow".

The Economist

Just as the entire public sector can not be condemned for the failure at Mid Staffordshire hospital, it is wrong to judge every non-state operator according to the actions of a guilty few.

The Guardian

(Remember that when talk turns to speech that supposedly creates a "hostile learning environment," speech off campus or among supposed friends can easily be condemned as creating such an environment, once others on campus learn about it). A serious blow to academic freedom and to freedom of discourse more generally, courtesy of the University of California administration.

The Washington Post

Any failure to tackle sexual abuse by Pakistani men for fear that it could "give oxygen" to racist perspectives can only be condemned.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can be condemned", make sure that the subject performing the condemnation is either clearly defined or implied. Vague condemnations can lack impact.

Common error

Avoid using "can be condemned" too frequently in passive constructions, as it can weaken your writing. Whenever possible, specify who is doing the condemning to create a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be condemned" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating the possibility or permissibility of something being judged negatively. Ludwig AI shows the phrase typically serves to express potential disapproval or moral judgment regarding specific actions or behaviors. As shown in the examples, this phrase establishes that actions are subject to negative assessment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can be condemned" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate that an action, behavior, or situation is liable to strong disapproval or moral judgment. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its usage across diverse sources, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, writers should be mindful of overuse and passive voice constructions. Alternatives such as "can be denounced" or "is subject to criticism" offer nuances in intensity and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be denounced

This alternative emphasizes public criticism and disapproval. It carries a strong negative connotation similar to "condemned", but highlights the act of speaking out against something.

is subject to criticism

This alternative replaces "condemned" with a milder term, focusing on critique rather than outright disapproval. The similarity score is high because criticism is a common component of condemnation, but it lacks the severity.

is liable to censure

This alternative is more formal, replacing "condemned" with "censure", which implies official reprimand. It changes the register to a more bureaucratic or authoritative tone, but keeps the core meaning.

can be reprehended

This is a more formal and less common synonym for condemned. It emphasizes the act of expressing disapproval or rebuke, and sounds more antiquated.

is open to denunciation

This alternative replaces "condemned" with "denunciation", suggesting a more public and forceful expression of disapproval. It makes the act of condemning more explicit and vocal, increasing the intensity.

is subject to moral scrutiny

This alternative specifies that the scrutiny is of a moral nature, adding a specific ethical dimension to the judgment. It changes the scope to a particular type of evaluation.

is deserving of reproach

This alternative shifts the focus to the worthiness of blame, making it somewhat less direct. The phrase is more reflective and morally weighted, slightly reducing the immediacy of the condemnation.

is worthy of disapproval

This alternative replaces the more forceful term "condemned" with the milder term "disapproval", reducing the level of censure implied. It focuses on disagreement rather than active condemnation.

can be disapproved

This alternative is a weaker form, suggesting something is not favored or accepted, but not necessarily strongly condemned. It lessens the severity of the judgment.

is susceptible to judgment

This alternative focuses on the possibility of being judged, rather than the certainty of condemnation. It's less direct and more about potential scrutiny.

FAQs

How can I use "can be condemned" in a sentence?

You can use "can be condemned" to express strong disapproval of an action or behavior. For example, "The company's unethical practices "can be condemned" by the public".

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

You can use alternatives like "can be denounced", "is subject to criticism", or "is liable to censure" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "can be condemned"?

It's appropriate when you want to express strong moral or ethical disapproval of something. The act or behavior should be serious enough to warrant such a strong term.

What's the difference between "can be condemned" and "can be criticized"?

"Can be criticized" implies a more general expression of disapproval or pointing out flaws, while "can be condemned" suggests a stronger, often moral, judgment and rejection. "Can be condemned" is a more forceful and decisive statement than "can be criticized".