can be governed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be governed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing rules, regulations, or principles that control or influence behavior or systems. Example: "In a democratic society, the rights of citizens can be governed by laws that ensure equality and justice."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Our second assumption is that, although networks can be governed by means of different types of governance mechanisms, the governance structure is associated with a particular governance mechanism that will be more suited in a certain governance structure.

BMC Health Services Research

"Fundamentally what it means is that people can have confidence that when they store information in the cloud, their privacy rights can be governed by their own laws and interpreted by their own governments," Microsoft president and chief legal officer Brad Smith told the Guardian in an interview Thursday afternoon.

The Guardian - Tech

President Hamid Karzai's corrupt government demonstrates that there is no plausible way Afghanistan can be governed from Kabul as a single administrative unit.

The New York Times

Neither Brussels nor Belgium can be governed without federal authority.

The New Yorker

We do not think Britain can be governed properly under them.

The Guardian

"I am happy we have reached a deal that means that Sweden can be governed".

Independent

No modern country can be governed from a single location only.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Chavismo has demonstrated, among many other things, that a country can be governed without its leaders ever doing anything predictable.

The New Yorker

The ultimate behavior of thin reinforced concrete structures, such as slabs, can be governed by punching due to point loads.

Composites Part B: Engineering

If they are economic and their extraction can be governed by suitable environmental protocols - as is scientific research - what is the problem?

The Guardian - Opinion

Some people bristle at the notion that an ancient practice aimed at health and enlightenment can be governed by copyright and trademark laws.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can be governed" when discussing systems, organizations, or processes subject to rules, laws, or principles. Ensure the context clearly indicates what or who is doing the governing.

Common error

Avoid using "can be governed" when describing purely physical phenomena that are simply affected or influenced, not managed by deliberate rules or systems. Use alternative phrasings like "can be affected by" or "can be influenced by" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be governed" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating the possibility or capability of something being controlled or regulated. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can be governed" is a versatile passive construction used to indicate the potential for something to be controlled, regulated, or managed. As Ludwig AI indicates, the expression is grammatically correct and very common in various contexts, particularly in scientific, news, and encyclopedic sources. To ensure clarity, it's important to specify what or who is doing the governing. Consider alternatives such as "can be controlled" or "can be regulated" to better suit the specific meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be controlled

Focuses more on direct management or restraint.

can be regulated

Emphasizes the establishment and enforcement of rules or standards.

can be managed

Highlights the process of dealing with or directing something.

can be influenced

Suggests a subtle or indirect form of control.

can be directed

Implies guidance or leadership towards a specific goal.

can be determined

Focuses on establishing the cause or influencing factor.

can be dictated

Indicates a command or order that must be followed.

can be shaped

Suggests molding or forming something into a particular state.

can be guided

Implies providing advice or assistance in a certain direction.

can be impacted

Focuses on the effect or influence exerted on something.

FAQs

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

Use "can be governed" to describe something subject to rules, regulations, or principles. For example, "The company's actions "can be governed" by ethical guidelines".

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

Alternatives include "can be controlled", "can be regulated", or "can be managed" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "can be governed by" or "can be governed with"?

"Can be governed by" is generally more appropriate when referring to rules or laws. "Can be governed with" might be used when emphasizing the instrument or method used in governing, but it's less common.

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

"Can be governed" describes a possibility or capability, while "should be governed" expresses a recommendation or necessity. The latter implies a judgment about what is right or best.