can be cut

USAGE SUMMARY

"can be cut" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to show that something has the ability or potential to be cut or divided into smaller pieces. One example could be: "The fabric can be cut into various shapes and sizes to create a unique and personalized piece of clothing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Something that can be cut down and hacked to bits and killed".

Vice

It can be cut, pasted and remixed.

The Economist

Also, middlemen can be cut out.

The Economist

So what can be cut now?

The New York Times

And costs can be cut.

The New York Times

It can be cut off.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

All non-modified sites can be cut by a cognate REase [ 1].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The transgenes can be cut out when sufficient cell numbers have been obtained.

Fibrogenesis and Tissue Repair

At any moment the sound can be cut off if classified material is presented as evidence.

Vice

No such slack can be cut for the grown-ups.

Los Angeles Times

Life can be cut short in a second.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can be cut" in technical writing, ensure the context clearly specifies what is being cut and the intended result. For example, "The excess cable can be cut to improve airflow within the server rack."

Common error

Avoid using "can be cut" without specifying the agent or instrument doing the cutting. Instead of saying "Costs can be cut", specify who is cutting the costs and how: "The department manager can cut costs by reducing travel expenses."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be cut" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating the possibility or permissibility of an action being performed on a subject. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its broad applicability across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

26%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can be cut" is a versatile and frequently used construction in the English language. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and functions primarily to indicate the possibility or permissibility of something being cut. Its register is generally neutral, making it appropriate for diverse contexts from news articles and wiki entries to scientific publications. While commonly used, writing guidance suggests specifying what is being cut and by whom to avoid vagueness. Related phrases, such as "is able to be trimmed" or "is capable of being divided", offer nuanced alternatives depending on the intended meaning. With numerous real-world examples, Ludwig illustrates the breadth and depth of its application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is able to be trimmed

Emphasizes the ability to reduce something, particularly in size or quantity.

is capable of being divided

Focuses on the potential for something to be split into parts.

is susceptible to being severed

Highlights the vulnerability of something to being cut or separated.

is permitted to be shortened

Indicates that there is allowance to make something shorter in length or duration.

is fit to be pruned

Suggests something benefits from being trimmed or reduced for improvement.

is eligible for reduction

Suggests that something meets the criteria for being decreased or lessened.

is liable to be truncated

Implies that something is likely to be cut short or abbreviated.

is designed to be segmented

Focuses on the intended purpose of something to be divided into distinct parts.

is subject to being eliminated

Highlights the possibility of something being completely removed or taken away.

is open to being diminished

Indicates that something is receptive to being made smaller or less significant.

FAQs

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

The phrase "can be cut" indicates the possibility or permissibility of cutting something. For example, "This material "can be cut" with a laser cutter" or "The budget "can be cut" to reduce expenses".

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

Alternatives include "is able to be trimmed", "is capable of being divided", or "is eligible for reduction", depending on the specific context.

Is "can be cut" formal or informal?

"Can be cut" is generally neutral and appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. The formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

What's the difference between "can be cut" and "should be cut"?

"Can be cut" implies possibility or capability, while "should be cut" suggests a recommendation or necessity. "This wire "can be cut"" means it is possible to cut it. "This expense "should be cut"" means it is advisable to reduce the expense.