can be significantly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be significantly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has the potential to be greatly affected or changed in a notable way. Example: "The results of the study show that the new treatment can be significantly more effective than the previous one."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The work-life balance can be significantly skewed when tackling two jobs.

The Guardian

Bat and bird populations can be significantly effected by collisions with turbines.

The Guardian

Outside Callaway Gardens, homes can be significantly cheaper, and larger tracts are available.

The New York Times

As a result, the cost of this vital energy-harnessing product can be significantly reduced.

The Guardian

Methods can be significantly more effective when teachers have sufficient training.

The New York Times

These causes of the need for legal aid, can be significantly reduced if not eradicated.

The Guardian - Opinion

Unemployment figures can be significantly ramped up by droughts, natural disasters and changing marine resource bases.

The Guardian

A public van service, or publico, which will pick you up anywhere in San Juan, can be significantly cheaper.

The New York Times - Travel

The range of an electric car can be significantly increased by providing quick "top-up" charging points.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's been shown that your odds of survival can be significantly improved with a relatively small amount of planning.

The New Yorker

The price one ultimately pays, Mr. Hanson said, can be significantly lower than run-of-the-mill bargains.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can be significantly" to highlight potential impacts or changes that are substantial and noteworthy. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is being affected and the direction of the change.

Common error

Avoid using "can be significantly" when the actual impact is minimal or unsubstantiated. Ensure that there is evidence or a clear rationale to support the claim of significant change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be significantly" functions as a modal expression indicating a potential for substantial change. It suggests that a particular action or condition has the ability to produce a notable effect. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which demonstrate its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can be significantly" is a versatile expression used to denote the potential for substantial impact or change. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently employed across diverse contexts, including science, news, and formal communication. Alternatives like "can be considerably" or "can be substantially" offer similar meanings. When using this phrase, ensure that the claimed significance is well-supported and avoid overstating the actual impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be considerably

Replaces "significantly" with "considerably", indicating a substantial but perhaps less dramatic effect.

can be substantially

Substitutes "significantly" with "substantially", implying a solid and noteworthy impact.

can be greatly

Uses "greatly" instead of "significantly", suggesting a large degree or extent.

can be markedly

Employs "markedly" as a substitute for "significantly", indicating a noticeable or distinct change.

can be noticeably

Replaces "significantly" with "noticeably", implying that the effect is easily observed.

can be dramatically

Substitutes "significantly" with "dramatically", emphasizing a sudden and striking change.

can be substantially increased

Adds "increased" to emphasize growth or amplification.

can be substantially reduced

Adds "reduced" to highlight diminution or decrease.

may be significantly

Replaces "can" with "may", suggesting a possibility rather than a certainty.

could be significantly

Uses "could" instead of "can", indicating a conditional possibility.

FAQs

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

Use "can be significantly" to emphasize a potential for substantial change or impact. For example, "Test scores "can be significantly improved" with focused tutoring".

What are some alternatives to "can be significantly"?

Alternatives include "can be considerably", "can be substantially", or "can be greatly". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "can be significantly increased"?

Yes, "can be significantly increased" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express the potential for a notable rise or enhancement in something.

How does "can be significantly" differ from "may be significantly"?

"Can be significantly" suggests a potential that is inherent or achievable under certain conditions. "May be significantly" implies a possibility that is less certain or more dependent on external factors.