can be seen as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be seen as" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is often used to present an opinion or interpretation regarding a certain event or situation. For example, "The increase in the number of homeless people in the city can be seen as a sign of economic instability".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These can be seen as below.

Stanford University

Law codes can be seen as algorithms.

The Guardian - Opinion

Clouds can be seen as comedy.

The Guardian - Film

That can be seen as offensive.

The Guardian

Therefore, the aggregates can be seen as fringed micelles.

Polymer

The mapping step can be seen as a synthesis process.

University of California, Berkeley

Life (replication) can be seen as an infection of prelife.

Harvard University

Discourse ellipses can be seen as a contextual adaptation.

Stanford University

It can be seen as a vibrating heat exchanger.

Ultrasonics Sonochemistry

Such couplings can be seen as virtual test reactors (VTR).

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms

Spreadsheets can be seen as a flexible programming environment.

Science of Computer Programming

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can be seen as" to introduce an interpretation or perspective, making it clear that it's not necessarily a definitive fact. For example, "The company's new policy can be seen as an attempt to improve employee morale".

Common error

Avoid using "can be seen as" when presenting something as an absolute truth. Ensure you're offering a possible perspective, not a definitive statement. Instead of "The results can be seen as proof of the theory", try "The results can be seen as supporting the theory".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be seen as" functions as an interpretative verb phrase, introducing a subjective viewpoint or potential understanding of a situation. It softens a statement, indicating it is an opinion, not a definitive fact, as shown by the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can be seen as" is a versatile phrase used to introduce an interpretation or perspective. It’s grammatically sound and frequently used across various contexts, including news, science, and academic writing. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is correct and common. When using "can be seen as", it’s important to remember that you are presenting a viewpoint, not an absolute truth, as highlighted by the writing guidance. Alternatives such as "can be interpreted as" or "can be viewed as" offer similar ways to introduce perspectives. This makes "can be seen as" a valuable tool for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be viewed as

Employs "viewed" to suggest a particular angle or perspective.

can be interpreted as

Replaces "seen" with "interpreted", emphasizing a more active process of understanding.

could be understood as

Uses "understood" to focus on comprehension and meaning.

can be regarded as

Uses "regarded" to highlight a considered opinion or judgment.

may be considered as

Adds "may" to introduce a degree of uncertainty or possibility.

might be perceived as

Substitutes "seen" with "perceived", emphasizing subjective understanding.

can be characterized as

Emphasizes the act of classifying or describing something in a certain way.

is capable of being seen as

Expands the phrase to emphasize the potential for interpretation.

is susceptible to being seen as

Highlights the vulnerability of something to a particular interpretation.

lends itself to being seen as

Suggests that something naturally invites a specific interpretation.

FAQs

How can I use "can be seen as" in a sentence?

Use "can be seen as" to introduce an interpretation or perspective on a situation or event. For instance, "The new law "can be seen as" a step towards greater equality".

What can I say instead of "can be seen as"?

You can use alternatives like "can be interpreted as", "can be regarded as", or "can be viewed as" to offer similar interpretations depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "can be seen as" in formal writing?

Yes, "can be seen as" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a neutral way to introduce an interpretation or perspective, as long as it is clearly presented as such and not as an absolute fact.

What's the difference between "can be seen as" and "is"?

"Can be seen as" suggests a possible interpretation, while "is" implies a definitive statement. Using "can be seen as" acknowledges that there may be other valid perspectives. For example, saying "The policy is unfair" is a statement, while "The policy "can be seen as" unfair" acknowledges potential disagreement.