can be shuffled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be shuffled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to items or elements that can be rearranged or mixed in a different order. Example: "The cards in the deck can be shuffled to ensure a random distribution before the game begins."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Citizenship can be shuffled like cards.

The New York Times - Sports

First, individual satellites within a constellation can be shuffled around.

The Economist

This is not an issue that can be shuffled off to final-status negotiations.

The New York Times

In the tasks that face modern knowledge workers, paper is most useful out in the open, where it can be shuffled and sorted and annotated and spread out.

The New Yorker

The birds you have available to fling are now represented by virtual "cards" which can be shuffled at will, enabling you to choose the order in which you use them.

The Guardian - Tech

The chancellor will hope that the pack can be shuffled in his favour – with some talk of Osborne's own protégé Matt Hancock as a potential successor to Duncan Smith.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The order of certain phases can also be shuffled, as illustrated in the following case where the poaching can happen at a later stage, after the interaction with the buyer, when he/she orders a specific animal, plant, or product.

Crime Science

Because of this feature, theoretically, large genes can therefore be shuffled.

Plosone

You can hear cards being shuffled and dealt to a foursome sitting cross-legged on a beach blanket, or you can hear salsa music throbbing from a tape player off in the distance that gets your hips moving in your beach chair.

The New York Times

Mignolet did not react quick enough to get back onto his line, so much so that when Vardy strikes the ball the goalkeeper can be seen to still be shuffling backwards towards his goal.

Independent

All you can do is shuffle your feet and say, 'Yes, Ma'am.'" She was aware of it; she was reported saying, "People can't be rude to me, this poor little old woman.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can be shuffled" when you want to indicate the possibility or ability to rearrange items in a non-specific order. For clarity, ensure the context makes it clear what items are being referred to.

Common error

Avoid using "can be shuffled" in highly formal or technical writing where more precise terms like "rearranged", "reordered", or "permuted" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be shuffled" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating possibility or capability. It describes the ability of something to be rearranged or reordered. Ludwig examples show its usage across different domains.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

6.66%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6.66%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can be shuffled" is a grammatically correct modal verb phrase that expresses the possibility or ability of something to be rearranged. Ludwig's analysis reveals that while the phrase is valid and understandable, it's more frequently encountered in news, media, and scientific contexts. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for a variety of writing styles, though more formal contexts may sometimes warrant the use of alternatives like "rearranged" or "permuted" for enhanced precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may be rearranged

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

could be reordered

Substitutes "can" with "could", suggesting a hypothetical possibility.

can be reorganized

Uses "reorganized" to highlight the act of rearranging with a specific structure in mind.

is able to be mixed

Rephrases using "is able", emphasizing capability; "mixed" replaces "shuffled".

can be interchanged

Focuses on the ability to swap positions between elements.

is capable of being reordered

Expresses the possibility of reordering with emphasis on the capability.

are able to be scrambled

Replace "can be" with "are able to be" and "shuffled" with "scrambled", creating an alternative of comparable meaning.

can be redistributed

Implies a re-allocation or re-apportionment, rather than a simple mixing.

may be permuted

Uses a more formal term, "permuted", suitable for mathematical or scientific contexts.

can be transposed

Emphasizes the changing of relative positions. More specific than shuffled.

FAQs

What does "can be shuffled" mean?

"Can be shuffled" implies that items or elements are capable of being rearranged or mixed into a different order. It suggests a degree of randomness in the reordering process.

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

You can use alternatives like "may be rearranged", "could be reordered", or "can be reorganized" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "can be shuffled" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "can be shuffled" may be too informal for some academic contexts. Consider using more precise terms such as "permuted" or "rearranged" when appropriate.

How does "can be shuffled" differ from "must be shuffled"?

"Can be shuffled" indicates a possibility or option, whereas "must be shuffled" implies a requirement or necessity. The choice depends on whether the reordering is optional or mandatory.