can be redefined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be redefined" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing concepts, terms, or ideas that have the potential to change or be interpreted differently. Example: "In the context of modern technology, the concept of privacy can be redefined to include digital footprints and online behavior."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Clear "foes" that can be redefined on the fly.

Harvard Business Review

It's about learning that your freakishness — the damage that has made society reject you — can be redefined as a special power.

The New Yorker

In particular, the presented architecture studies how episodic memory and procedures in semantic memory can be redefined in terms of narrative structures.

Biologically Inspired Cognitive Architectures

Dated December 9 , 1976 Mondale's memo surveys the history of the Vice-Presidency and proposes ideas for how the job can be redefined to help overcome the frustrations that had characterized the office for nearly two centuries.

The New Yorker

"In the comics page no less than in social life, the opposition between black and white can be redefined but not abolished," the journalist and comics scholar Jeet Heer has written.

The New Yorker

When the function is bounded in a neighbourhood around a singularity, the function can be redefined at the point to remove it; hence it is known as a removable singularity.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Both groups' results are a good indication that "clean" can indeed be redefined.

University of California, Berkeley

With entrepreneurial vigour of the Chinese sort, every problem in the Chinese economy can plausibly be redefined as an opportunity.

The Economist

Default definitions can not be redefined within a model description file since that may invalidate other unit definitions appearing in the units database.

Yale University

The curves and defining the risk regions (Section 6) can also be redefined for the random holding time case.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The FIMs can now be redefined as F k : = F k ( x t ) 1 x t ∈ ℵ k and F : = F ( x t ) 1 [ x t ∈ ⋃ k = 1 3 ℵ k ].

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can be redefined", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being redefined and the potential scope or impact of that redefinition. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "can be redefined" when the change is minor or semantic. Instead, reserve it for situations where the fundamental nature or understanding of something is genuinely altered.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be redefined" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating the possibility or potential for something to have its definition or meaning altered. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use across diverse fields, from science to social commentary, to express the mutability of concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can be redefined" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signals the potential for a concept or term's meaning to be altered. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability. As evidenced by numerous examples gathered by Ludwig, this phrase is prevalent in scientific, news, and formal contexts, indicating its versatility. While alternative expressions exist, such as ""may be altered"" or ""could be reinterpreted"", the specific choice depends on the desired nuance. When employing "can be redefined", clarity and context are paramount to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may be altered

Changes the modality from possibility to likelihood and replaces "redefined" with "altered", suggesting a less comprehensive change.

could be reinterpreted

Substitutes "can" with "could" and "redefined" with "reinterpreted", focusing on a change in understanding rather than fundamental alteration.

might be modified

Replaces "can" with "might" and "redefined" with "modified", indicating a lower probability and a more specific adjustment.

is subject to revision

Emphasizes the potential for future changes and formalizes the tone, suitable for official or academic contexts.

is susceptible to reframing

Highlights the possibility of changing the perspective or context in which something is viewed, altering its perceived meaning or significance.

is open to reshaping

Highlights the malleability of the subject and the possibility of significant change in form or structure.

is liable to be recast

Indicates a tendency or likelihood of being changed or presented in a different way, often to suit a new purpose or audience.

allows for adaptation

Focuses on the capacity for something to adjust to new conditions or purposes, shifting the emphasis from definition to function.

can be reconstructed

Implies a more thorough process of rebuilding or reorganizing, suggesting a more extensive alteration than a simple redefinition.

can undergo transformation

Suggests a more profound and fundamental change than "redefinition", implying a complete shift in nature or form.

FAQs

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

Use "can be redefined" when you want to express that something is not fixed and its meaning or interpretation is subject to change. For example, "In the digital age, privacy "can be redefined" in terms of data security and online presence."

What are some alternatives to saying "can be redefined"?

Alternatives include "may be altered", "might be modified", or "could be reinterpreted", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "can be redefined"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "can be redefined" follows standard English grammar rules and is widely used in various contexts, as supported by Ludwig.

What's the difference between "can be redefined" and "can be revised"?

"Can be redefined" suggests a more fundamental change in meaning or scope, while "can be revised" implies adjustments or corrections to improve accuracy or effectiveness.