can be escalated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be escalated" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts where an issue or situation may be raised to a higher level of authority or urgency for resolution. Example: "If the problem persists, it can be escalated to the management team for further review."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Finally, it should mean that where blockages emerge they can be escalated and dealt with quickly.

The Guardian

In a traditional team structure, conflicts can be escalated to the boss to resolve.

Harvard Business Review

Star players around the league — at least those with competent agents — have been negotiating their contracts with 2016 in mind, sometimes sacrificing long-term stability for short-term deals that can be escalated under the new cap.

The New Yorker

They want to link the Community cloud to the broader set of Salesforce services like Salesforce1 Service Cloud where unanswered or difficult questions can be escalated if need be.

TechCrunch

Sustained release oral opioids can be escalated every 24 hours.

Clinical interventions in aging

It can be escalated to a formal complaint if not resolved locally.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"The situation can really be escalated again in Iraq if they do not put an end to it".

The New York Times

Dose can then be escalated to the phase-specific PET/CT-defined biological target volumes with either equal weighting, or preferentially to a particular phase with unequal weighting.

Clinical and Translational Medicine

More complex decision-making rules, exceptions, or unacceptable variances can be programmed to be escalated to managers (although these exceptions should be less than five percent of all decisions).

Harvard Business Review

If the issue needs to be escalated, they can bee-line it to the nearest emergency room.

TechCrunch

Dirk Van Dongen, the longtime chief lobbyist for the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors, called Tea Party lawmakers and their activist supporters "the Taliban minority". That enmity can only now be escalating, with people like Brat going directly after the lobbying crowd.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can be escalated" when you want to indicate that a process or issue has a defined path for being raised to a higher level of authority or urgency for resolution. For example, "If initial support cannot resolve the issue, it "can be escalated" to senior management."

Common error

While "can be escalated" is grammatically sound, overuse of the passive voice can make your writing seem vague or indirect. Consider who or what is doing the escalating and use the active voice for a clearer, more direct statement. Instead of "The issue can be escalated", try "The team lead can escalate the issue".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be escalated" functions as a passive construction indicating a possibility for an issue or situation to be raised to a higher level. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. It describes a process where something moves up a chain of command or increases in intensity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can be escalated" serves as a passive construction, denoting the possibility of raising an issue or situation to a higher level. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, highlighting its function in describing processes that move up a chain of command or increase in intensity. While the frequency is rare, usage occurs across science, news, and formal business contexts. To enhance clarity and directness, especially in writing, it's advisable to use active voice constructions where appropriate. Remember, alternatives like "may be elevated" or "can be raised" exist, but the choice should align with the intended tone and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may be elevated

Indicates possibility but with a slightly more formal tone.

can be raised

A more direct and simple alternative, focusing on the act of raising an issue.

could be amplified

Suggests increasing the intensity or impact of something.

might be heightened

Implies increasing the level or degree of something, often in a more abstract sense.

can be amplified

Focuses on increasing the volume or intensity.

may be taken up

Suggests that an issue is being addressed or considered at a higher level.

could be advanced

Focuses on promotion or progression to a higher stage.

might be intensified

Suggests an increase in strength or severity.

can be worsened

Highlights the negative consequence of making something worse.

may be exacerbated

Similar to worsened but emphasizes the act of making something already bad even worse.

FAQs

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

Use "can be escalated" to indicate a formal or informal process for raising an issue to a higher level. For example, "If the customer is unsatisfied, the complaint "can be escalated" to a supervisor."

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

You can use alternatives like "may be elevated", "can be raised", or "could be amplified" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "can be escalated"?

While "can be escalated" is passive, using the active voice can provide clarity. Instead of "The problem can be escalated", you could say "The manager can escalate the problem". The choice depends on whether you need to emphasize who is performing the action.

When is it appropriate to use "can be escalated" in formal writing?

It's appropriate in formal writing to describe established procedures or policies. For example, "According to company policy, unresolved disputes "can be escalated" to the HR department."