can be made

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "can be made" is correct and can be used in written English.
It typically appears in the infinitive form, when expressing an action that is possible or can happen. For example: "A change in the company's policy can be made if necessary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mistakes can be made.

The Economist

"Exceptions can be made.

Independent

Reservations can be made online.

The New York Times

Bids can be made here.

Independent

But adjustments can be made.

The New York Times - Food

Guns can be made safer.

The Economist

These cases can be made.

The New Yorker

"Neither can be made.

The Guardian - Arts

Compromises can be made.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mozzarella can be made.

The New York Times

But two observations can be made here.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can be made" when indicating that an action is possible or a creation can occur. Ensure the context clearly defines who or what is capable of making the change or creation.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions like "can be made". Actively constructing the sentence by specifying the actor (e.g., "Engineers can make adjustments") provides clarity and a more direct tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be made" functions primarily as a passive construction, indicating that an action is possible or permissible. It emphasizes the potential for something to be created, altered, or accomplished, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can be made" is a common and grammatically sound passive construction that expresses possibility or capability. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's frequently used across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Wiki. While versatile, writers should be mindful of overusing the passive voice and consider active alternatives for clearer communication. Related phrases, such as "is achievable" and "can be created", offer nuanced ways to express similar meanings. Overall, "can be made" is a reliable and widely accepted phrase when used appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is possible

Focuses on the potential or feasibility of something occurring.

is achievable

Emphasizes the possibility of something being accomplished or attained.

can be modified

Focuses on the ability to alter or change something.

is attainable

Highlights the ability to reach or obtain something through effort.

can be adjusted

Highlights the capacity to fine-tune or tweak something.

can be created

Stresses the act of bringing something into existence.

can be produced

Focuses on the manufacturing or generation of something.

can be developed

Highlights the process of growth or advancement of something.

can be manufactured

Specifically refers to the industrial creation of a product.

can be constructed

Emphasizes the building or assembly of something.

FAQs

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

Use "can be made" to indicate that something is possible or able to be created. For example, "Reservations "can be made" online" or "Adjustments "can be made"."

What are some alternatives to "can be made"?

Alternatives include "is achievable", "is possible", or "can be created", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice with "can be made"?

While "can be made" is grammatically correct, using the active voice often results in a clearer and more direct sentence. For example, instead of "Mistakes "can be made"", consider "People can make mistakes."

What does "can be made" imply about the action being described?

It suggests that the action is feasible or permissible. It indicates that the possibility exists for something to be created, altered, or accomplished.