can be hip

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be hip" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has the potential to be trendy or fashionable. Example: "This new café can be hip if they update their decor and offer unique menu items."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Maybe we can be hip, informed and cultivated.

The New York Times

Mormons Can be hip if they want to!

The New York Times

The come-on to newcomers was clear: "Look, we can be hip too".

The New York Times - Arts

They're on their stage now, in their little realm, in their prime, so you gotta listen to what they say so you can be hip to everything.

The New York Times - Arts

Maen is constantly thinking up new venues and how each one can be hip and different yet timeless.

Los Angeles Times

That shouldn't frighten Democratic Party elites, since Sanders has shown them that even the elderly can be hip with the right platform -- going hard at Wall Street, corporate monopolies and campaign finance corruption works.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Justice Ginsburg is all business, but the chief justice as he showed recently in Elonis v United States, a case concerning the legality of violent Facebook posts—is affable and can even be hip.

The Economist

(Ms. Stankovic, in a white tutu and point shoes, occasionally resorts to shimmying, falling on her back and wiggling her legs in the air to show that ballet can indeed be hip).

The New York Times - Arts

Here's a news alert: Asian men can in fact be hip, charming and sexy!

Huffington Post

How can you be hip-hop if that's what your image is? "To be honest, what hip-hop is perceived to be is the antithesis of what Asian Americans are considered to be in this country".

Vice

You can be as hip as the models on these pages, toss on a wife-beater as I like to imagine Drew Carey does (but have no proof) or be as retro as Ner in his 19th-century bathrobe.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can be hip" when suggesting the possibility or potential for something or someone to become trendy, fashionable, or cool. It implies a shift or transformation.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "can be hip" to describe something. Provide concrete examples or details to support the assertion. Instead of just saying 'This neighborhood can be hip', mention specific businesses, art installations, or cultural events that contribute to its potential coolness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be hip" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing possibility or potential. Ludwig confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. It indicates that something has the ability or capacity to become trendy or fashionable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Arts

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can be hip" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that expresses the potential for something to become trendy or fashionable. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It's most commonly found in News & Media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you provide concrete examples to support your claim and consider alternatives such as ""has the potential to be trendy"" or ""could become fashionable"" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has the potential to be trendy

Emphasizes the possibility of achieving trendiness.

could become fashionable

Highlights the potential for gaining popularity in fashion.

might evolve into something cool

Suggests a gradual development toward coolness.

is capable of being stylish

Focuses on the inherent ability to achieve style.

may turn into a popular thing

Indicates a possible transformation into something widely liked.

has a shot at being cool

Presents the idea of having a chance to become cool.

can evolve into stylish

Implies development towards becoming more fashion conscious and chic.

could be perceived as cool

Highlights the potential for being seen as cool by others.

is able to become trendy

Focuses on the ability to transform into something trendy.

may be considered fashionable

Suggests the possibility of being regarded as fashionable.

FAQs

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

You can use "can be hip" to express the potential of something to become trendy or fashionable. For example, "This new café "can be hip" if they update their decor and offer unique menu items."

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

Alternatives include "has the potential to be trendy", "could become fashionable", or "might evolve into something cool", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "can be hip" or "is hip"?

"Can be hip" suggests a future possibility or potential, while "is hip" describes a current state. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the current or future status of the subject.

What's the difference between "can be hip" and "can be cool"?

While both phrases express a potential for positive regard, ""can be hip"" often relates more to trendiness and fashion, whereas "can be cool" has a broader sense of being impressive or admirable.