can be held

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be held" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that something is possible to be conducted or maintained, such as meetings, events, or responsibilities. Example: "The conference can be held at the downtown convention center next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What information can be held?

The Guardian - Money

They can be held at smaller hotels.

The New York Times

Life can be held hostage by money.

Columbia University

At last, belatedly, bankers can be held to account.

Independent

Is there a hotel the cardinals can be held in?

Independent

If fair elections can be held in Iraq, amid war, terrorism and ethnic feuds, they can be held in Haiti.

The New York Times

Camp-outs can be held in backyards and even indoors.

The New York Times - Travel

"On police bail, people can be held for months.

The Guardian

Corruption suspects can be held for 90 days without charge.

The Guardian

A blogger can be held liable for any false claims.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet no one, it seems, can be held responsible.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can be held", ensure the context clearly defines what is being held, whether it's a meeting, responsibility, or object. Clarity prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "can be held" without a clear subject. Ensure it's evident who or what is doing the holding, or what is being held, to maintain clarity and avoid grammatical vagueness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be held" functions as a modal passive construction. It indicates the possibility or permissibility of an action being performed on a subject. As shown in Ludwig, this construction is versatile, applicable to events, responsibilities, or physical objects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can be held" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express the possibility or permissibility of something occurring. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and business. The phrase functions as a modal passive construction, conveying potential or capability. While its register is generally neutral, clarity in usage is crucial to avoid ambiguity. Understanding the best practices and common errors ensures effective communication. Its frequent occurrence in authoritative sources underscores its reliability and appropriateness in diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be sustained

Synonymous, highlighting the ability to continue or support something.

may be maintained

Replaces "can" with "may", suggesting possibility rather than ability.

could be retained

Substitutes "held" with "retained", implying the act of keeping something.

can be supported

Focuses on the ability to provide assistance or resources.

might be sustained

Uses "might" instead of "can", conveying a lower probability.

can be accommodated

Emphasizes the possibility of making room for something.

is capable of being maintained

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the capability of maintenance.

is able to be preserved

Replaces "held" with "preserved", emphasizing the action of keeping something in its original condition.

can be conducted

Focuses on the ability to carry out or perform an action.

may be conducted

Uses 'may' instead of 'can', implying a possibility or permission to carry out an action.

FAQs

How do I use "can be held" in a sentence?

The phrase "can be held" indicates possibility or permissibility. For example, "Meetings "can be held" in the conference room" suggests the conference room is a suitable venue.

What's a good alternative to "can be held"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "may be maintained" or "can be sustained" if you want to express the possibility of something continuing.

Is "can be holded" grammatically correct?

No, "can be holded" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "can be held", using the past participle of "hold".

What's the difference between "can be held" and "must be held"?

"Can be held" implies a possibility or option, while "must be held" suggests an obligation or requirement. For example, "Elections "can be held"" indicates permissibility, while "Elections must be held" implies a necessity.