can be grasped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be grasped" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the understanding or comprehension of a concept or idea. Example: "The complex theory can be grasped with careful study and attention to detail."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But 'being' can be grasped in different ways, and Maritain distinguishes, for example, between sensible being ("the object first attained by the human intellect") and being as being (which is the object of metaphysics).

SEP

But basics can be grasped.

The New York Times - Travel

Beyond a Boundary demonstrates that profound connections can be grasped by a popular sporting audience.

The Guardian - Opinion

Like the French intuitionist Henri Bergson, they may hold that this flow can be grasped only by nonrational intuition.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They are also tangible: material objects that can be grasped, pasted, or leaned against a dresser mirror.

The New York Times

The kind of culture he cares about is mobile and far-flung and can be grasped better on the move.

The New Yorker

Tokyoland, like Disneyland, is a series of simulacrums, worlds that are miniaturized so they can be grasped.

The New York Times - Books

The broad ethnic mix of island flavors can be grasped in any supermarket, my favorite being Miles Markett, in Hamilton.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It is likely to become more bloody and involve a wider humanitarian disaster before any solutions can be grasped".

The New York Times

Its truth can be grasped without holding any opinions as to what, in fact, the relationship of sight to perception is.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The influences that lead so many to do so are much deeper and more complicated than anything that can be grasped in an economic model or populist slogan.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can be grasped" to describe concepts or ideas that are understandable or comprehensible with some effort or explanation.

Common error

While "can be grasped" is grammatically sound, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider using the active voice where appropriate to make your sentences more direct and engaging. For example, instead of saying "The concept can be grasped by students", you could say "Students can grasp the concept".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be grasped" functions as a passive construction indicating the potential for understanding or comprehension. Ludwig's examples show its usage across various domains, highlighting its versatility in conveying the idea that something is capable of being understood.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can be grasped" effectively communicates the potential for understanding or comprehension, fitting seamlessly into diverse writing styles. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correct usage. Its prevalence across scientific, news, and encyclopedia sources underscores its suitability for formal contexts. While readily understood, consider more active voice alternatives for dynamic writing. By understanding both its strengths and potential stylistic pitfalls, you can wield "can be grasped" with finesse in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be understood

Focuses specifically on the intellectual understanding of something.

can be comprehended

Highlights the ability to fully understand and appreciate something.

can be perceived

Emphasizes the ability to become aware of something through the senses or intuition.

can be apprehended

Stresses the act of seizing or grasping something, often an idea or concept, mentally.

can be discerned

Implies careful observation and detection to distinguish or recognize something.

can be recognized

Focuses on identifying or acknowledging something already known or familiar.

can be assimilated

Highlights the ability to absorb and integrate new information or ideas.

can be internalized

Emphasizes the process of making something part of one's own beliefs or values.

can be mastered

Suggests the ability to gain complete control or understanding of a skill or subject.

can be intuited

Highlights the ability to understand something instinctively, without conscious reasoning.

FAQs

What does "can be grasped" mean?

The phrase "can be grasped" means something is able to be understood or comprehended. It suggests that, with some effort or explanation, a concept or idea can be understood.

How to use "can be grasped" in a sentence?

You can use "can be grasped" to describe the understandability of a concept. For example: "The main idea of the book "can be grasped" after reading the first chapter".

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

You can use alternatives like "can be understood", "can be comprehended", or "can be perceived" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "can be understood" or "can be grasped"?

Both phrases are correct, but "can be grasped" implies a more active effort to understand something. "Can be understood" is more general and suggests inherent understandability.