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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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can be finish

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

'can be finish' is not a correct phrase in written English.
The correct phrase is 'can be finished'. For example, "The project can be finished in two weeks."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Now, nothing can be "finish and klaar" again: a reason for confusion, even distress, but also for dogged curiosity.

News & Media

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But then, who can be finished with Alice?

News & Media

The New Yorker

Aluminum can be finished by porcelain enameling or metallizing.

Thanks to them many floors of a large office building can be finished.

News & Media

The New Yorker

An e-mail started on an iPhone or iPad can be finished on the desktop.

News & Media

The Economist

"The whole process can be finished in about 20 to 30 seconds," Dr. Goldbogen said.

My task is not one that can be finished in a day.

News & Media

The New York Times

His main worry is whether two pumping stations can be finished in time.

News & Media

The New York Times

The unfinished second floor can be finished as two rooms, a bath and hallway for $25,000.

News & Media

The New York Times

By most estimates, the process can be finished by mid-October.

The first chestnut windows will arrive next week, and then the upstairs can be finished.

News & Media

The Guardian
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the past participle form of the verb "finish" (finished) after "can be" to ensure grammatical correctness. For example, use "can be finished" instead of "can be finish".

Common error

Avoid using the base form of the verb "finish" after "can be". The correct form is the past participle, "finished". Misusing the base form creates a grammatically incorrect sentence.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be finish" is intended to express the possibility of completing an action. However, it is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI indicates, the correct form is "can be finished", using the past participle.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can be finish" is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI highlights, the correct form is "can be finished". This analysis, based on a limited number of examples, suggests the phrase is rarely used and should be avoided in formal writing. When aiming to express the possibility of something being completed, always use the past participle form of the verb. Remember to correct the verb tense to ensure clear and accurate communication.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "can be finish"?

The correct way to phrase this is "can be finished". The verb "finish" requires the past participle form when used with "can be".

What does "can be finished" mean?

The phrase "can be finished" means that something has the potential to be completed or brought to an end.

Is "can be finish" grammatically correct?

No, "can be finish" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "can be finished", which uses the past participle of the verb "finish".

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

Use "can be finished", which is the grammatically correct version. Other alternatives include "can be completed" or "is able to finish" depending on the context.

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Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: