can be disappeared

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be disappeared" is not correct in standard English usage.
It is not typically used because "disappear" is an intransitive verb and does not take a direct object. Example: "The magician's trick made the rabbit disappear."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

With twenty litres, you can be disappeared from this world".

The New Yorker

If the Handmaids object, they can be disappeared along with Unwomen (feminists), Gender Traitors (lesbians), and other enemies of the state.

The New Yorker

"There's a sense that things have gotten out of control, that when there's an intraparty struggle, even the most powerful official can be disappeared," said Sharon Hom, executive director of Human Rights in China.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The last of those cans are disappearing from supermarket shelves, although some can still be found around New York City.

The New York Times

You can also be disappeared by the authorities, eradicated or annihilated.

The Guardian - Arts

It seems like one day, we were living in a country where a whole range of discriminatory practices pervaded, and now we are waking up in the dawn of a new age where all of that stuff can either be disappeared through really nice thoughts, or semantic tricks, or the willingness to simply shut up about all the discriminatory practices.

Huffington Post

Sometimes the kindest thing we can do is disappear.

Vice

"The Ayotzinapa tragedy… exposed how anyone can be forcibly disappeared into thin air in the country with those in power focused on covering up the traces," Erika Guevara-Rosas, the group's Americas director, said in the statement.

Vice

On Twitter, spelling is his comedic Achilles heel; on Snapchat, liberated from the chafing protocols of writing and punctuation, he produces some genuinely funny work, none of which I can reproduce here, because it's disappeared off my phone.

The Guardian - Sport

"Europe is wagering that attitudes handed down over the centuries, on both sides, have disappeared, or can be made to disappear.

The New York Times - Books

But cellphone plans that let people gobble up data as if they were at an all-you-can eat buffet are disappearing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "can be disappeared" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and grammatically correct alternatives like "can vanish" or "can be removed".

Common error

The verb 'disappear' is typically intransitive, meaning it doesn't take a direct object. Avoid phrasing that treats 'disappear' as transitive. Instead of saying something "can be disappeared", express the idea with a transitive verb like "remove" or "eliminate".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be disappeared" attempts to describe the possibility of something vanishing or being made to vanish. However, due to the incorrect usage of 'disappear' as a transitive verb, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically non-standard.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "can be disappeared" might appear in various contexts, including news and media, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect because 'disappear' is an intransitive verb. Ludwig AI flags it as non-standard. For clearer and more precise communication, it's best to use alternatives like "can vanish", "can be removed", or "can be eliminated". These options not only improve grammatical correctness but also enhance the clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can disappear

A simpler, grammatically correct phrasing that emphasizes the act of vanishing without external influence.

can vanish

Replaces "disappeared" with a more standard intransitive verb, focusing on the act of vanishing.

might disappear

Expresses a possibility that something could vanish.

can be made to vanish

Emphasizes the action of causing something to vanish, which improves grammatical correctness.

can be removed

Focuses on the action of taking something away, implying a more deliberate act.

can be eliminated

Highlights the action of completely getting rid of something, suggesting thoroughness.

can be erased

Implies a wiping away or obliteration, either physically or metaphorically.

may be eliminated

Suggests a possibility rather than a certainty of being eliminated.

might be eliminated

Suggests a possibility that something could be eliminated.

could be vanished

Expresses a conditional or possible action of vanishing something.

FAQs

What does "can be disappeared" mean?

The phrase "can be disappeared" is not grammatically correct. It attempts to convey that something or someone can be made to vanish or be eliminated, but uses 'disappear' in a way that is not standard English.

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

Instead of "can be disappeared", you can use alternatives like "can vanish", "can be removed", or "can be eliminated" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "can be disappeared"?

No, it is not considered correct. The verb 'disappear' is intransitive and does not take a direct object. Therefore, the passive construction "can be disappeared" is grammatically incorrect.

How to use "can disappear" correctly in a sentence?

Use "can disappear" to describe something vanishing on its own. For example, "The evidence "can disappear" quickly in these conditions." Contrast this with phrases that show intent to remove or eliminate.