can be skipped

USAGE SUMMARY

"can be skipped" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a part of a task or process that can be omitted without affecting the overall outcome. For example, "Some steps in the recipe can be skipped if you don't have access to the rare ingredients."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Desserts can be skipped.

The New York Times

Which ones can be skipped?

University of California, Berkeley

Features with value zero can be skipped.

Cornell University

Now either step can be skipped.

MIT Technology Review

(Many ads can be skipped after a few seconds anyway).

The New York Times

There are occasional mathematical digressions, but these can be skipped with no loss of continuity.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

(The searing can be skipped at home; it is mostly for color, she said).

The New York Times - Style

How can you know which are must-reads and which can be skipped?

MIT Technology Review

At present most YouTube ads can be skipped after five seconds.

The Times

No one's judgment is trusted; no category on the form can be skipped.

The New Yorker

The dimensions of the smallest object that can be skipped are secret.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can be skipped", ensure the context clearly indicates what happens if the step or element is omitted. Will it alter the outcome, or is it truly optional?

Common error

Don't automatically assume that something labeled as "can be skipped" is entirely inconsequential. Always verify the implications of skipping it, as it might lead to a less optimal result, even if not a complete failure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be skipped" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating permission or possibility coupled with the passive voice. It typically modifies a noun or noun phrase, signifying that the action associated with that noun or noun phrase is optional. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

28%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can be skipped" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that something is optional. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase appears frequently in diverse contexts like science, news, and academia. While generally safe to use, be mindful of the specific context. Always verify the potential impact of skipping something, even if it's presented as optional. Consider alternatives such as "can be omitted" or "is optional" for more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is optional

Directly states the optional nature of something.

can be left out

A simpler, more direct way of saying something is not included.

can be omitted

Replaces "skipped" with a more formal synonym, suggesting a deliberate removal.

is unnecessary

Highlights the lack of need for something.

can be bypassed

Suggests going around something, often implying a quicker route.

is not essential

Indicates something is not crucial or vital.

is not required

Shifts from possibility to necessity, indicating something is unnecessary.

can be avoided

Implies a desire to stay away from something, perhaps due to negative consequences.

can be forgone

A more sophisticated synonym for "skipped", indicating a voluntary decision to omit.

can be dispensed with

A more formal way of saying something is not needed.

FAQs

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

You can use "can be skipped" to indicate that a step, section, or element is optional. For example, "This step "can be skipped" if you don't have the necessary ingredients."

What's a more formal way to say "can be skipped"?

More formal alternatives include "can be omitted", "is not required", or "can be dispensed with".

Is it always okay to skip something that "can be skipped"?

While "can be skipped" suggests optionality, it's important to understand the potential consequences of doing so. Skipping it might result in a slightly different or less optimal outcome.

What's the difference between "can be skipped" and "must be skipped"?

"Can be skipped" means something is optional, while "must be skipped" indicates that it is necessary to omit something. They have opposite meanings.