can be grabbed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be grabbed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is available to be taken or obtained, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "The last piece of cake can be grabbed by anyone who wants it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Jungle land can be grabbed for nothing, avoiding what is normally a huge outlay in farming.

The Economist

TOUCH POINT The part of the sheet that can be grabbed and tugged over your shoulder.

The New York Times

"An idea or phrase can be grabbed and worked at while it's fresh.

The Guardian - Books

DRINKS A Heineken ($8) or a rail vodka tonic ($13) can be grabbed at the bar, but table service reigns.

The New York Times

And even land can be grabbed by governments, as has happened recently in Zimbabwe.But, even on the assumption that war and civil disorder are avoided, Mr Biggs's advice still has some merit.

The Economist

The four infants in the French documentary "Babies" are determined little creatures, eager for a breast to latch on to, a cat that can be grabbed and pulled at.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

He writes a wonderful sentence, and you hear the Roth voice, hectoring it can be, grabbing you by the throat, funny or not funny, but you hear it.

The Guardian - Books

A search can extend to a woman's purse, the inspector added, because it is considered a "lungeable area," or a place where a person can easily conceal a weapon that can quickly be grabbed.

The New York Times

It can only be grabbed in passing, at the last gasp.

The New Yorker

The album simply escaped onto the Internet, where it can still be grabbed, earning nothing but good will for the musicians, but ready to play any time.

The New York Times - Arts

The real explanation lies in desirable abstracts like team spirit, motivation, collective will, the certainty that the glittering prizes on offer can all be grabbed if you go about it in the right way.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can be grabbed" to describe something readily available or easily taken. It works well in both literal and figurative contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "can be grabbed" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "is obtainable" or "is available for acquisition".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be grabbed" functions as a passive construction, indicating the potential for an action to be performed on a subject. It expresses possibility or availability for someone to take or seize something. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's acceptability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

28%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can be grabbed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that suggests something is available or susceptible to being taken. According to Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for general usage, especially in news, media and wikis. While versatile, it is best to avoid it in highly formal writing, opting instead for alternatives like "is obtainable". Remember to tailor your choice to suit the context and desired level of formality. The phrase appears in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be taken

Simple and direct synonym.

is up for grabs

An idiomatic expression indicating open availability.

is there for the taking

Emphasizes opportunity and ease of acquisition.

is within reach

Implies something is easily accessible.

can be acquired

Formal and emphasizes the process of acquisition.

is obtainable

Highlights the possibility of obtaining something.

is liable to be taken

Indicates a probability of being taken.

is available for acquisition

Formal alternative emphasizing availability.

may be seized

Suggests possibility of seizing.

is susceptible to being seized

Focuses on the vulnerability to being taken.

FAQs

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

You can use "can be grabbed" to describe something that is readily available or easily taken, for example: "The last slice of pizza "can be grabbed" by anyone who wants it."

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

You can use alternatives like "is available for acquisition", "is obtainable", or "is within reach" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "can be grabbed" or "can be grasped"?

Both ""can be grabbed"" and "can be grasped" are grammatically correct, but "can be grabbed" usually implies a quicker or more forceful action, while "can be grasped" is often used in more abstract or intellectual contexts.

What's the difference between "can be grabbed" and "is up for grabs"?

"Can be grabbed" is a general phrase indicating something is available. "Is up for grabs" is an idiom that specifically means something is available to anyone who wants it, often implying competition.