can be starting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be starting" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not typically used as it combines the modal verb "can" with the present participle "starting" in a way that does not convey a clear meaning. Example: "The project can be starting next week if all approvals are received."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Win or lose, Washington's Initiative 1631 is a case study in how thorny the politics of carbon pricing can be — starting with the name.

The Washington Post

By utilizing the lattice engineering technique, we classify (22,6 -dimensional Narain lattices with right-moving non-Abelian group factors which can be starting points for Z3 asymmetric orbifold construction.

Nuclear Physics B

Aluminum compounds are used as catalysts in chemical reactions to make elemental sulfur and various hydrocarbons, which can be starting materials for making plastics, medicines, fertilizers, rubber products and more.

Forbes

Pascoa [17] has produced an effective analysis of possible propulsion concepts which can be adopted on unconventional airships defining an effective state of the art which can be starting point for future development of future airship design modes.

European Transport Research Review

We hope the mixer we wrote, Wayne Au's lesson on the Panthers' Ten Point Program, and Ursula Wolfe-Rocca's lesson on COINTELPRO, can be starting points for educators who hope to arm a new generation with the story of the Panthers.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Can be started in fall.

Cornell University

Most herbs can be started from seed.

The New York Times

can be started with "mosinit.hoc".hoc

Yale University

The simulation can be started by pressing "Go".

Yale University

can be started by typing gv at the command line.

Columbia University

Several can be started indoors, then moved outside.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "can be starting" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and grammatically correct alternatives such as "can begin" or "may start".

Common error

Be cautious about using continuous forms with modal verbs like "can". Using the base form of the verb (e.g., "can start" instead of "can be starting") often results in clearer and more grammatically sound sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be starting" attempts to express possibility or ability in relation to an action that is beginning or about to begin. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this construction is grammatically incorrect in standard English. Instead, it's better to use "can begin" or "may start".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can be starting" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI suggests it's best to avoid this phrase and opt for alternatives such as "can begin", "may start", or "can commence", depending on the desired level of formality and context. While the phrase appears across various sources, including News & Media and Science, its infrequent and incorrect usage makes it a less desirable choice. Correcting this phrase improves clarity and credibility in both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can begin

Replaces the continuous "starting" with the simple form "begin", offering a more grammatically sound alternative.

can commence

Substitutes both verbs with synonyms that improve the sentence's grammatical correctness and formality.

can initiate

Similar to "can commence", this offers a formal and grammatically acceptable option.

may start

Replaces "can be" with "may", offering a grammatically acceptable sentence that expresses possibility.

might start

Expresses a similar level of possibility as "may start", using different modal verbs.

could begin

Suggests possibility or conditionality, similar to 'may start' but with a slightly different nuance.

is able to start

Emphasizes the ability or capability to begin something.

has the ability to start

More explicitly states the capability to begin.

is going to start

Expresses future intention or a planned start.

will be able to start

Combines future tense with the ability to start, indicating a future capability.

FAQs

What's grammatically wrong with "can be starting"?

The phrase "can be starting" is not standard English. It awkwardly combines the modal verb "can" with the present continuous tense. Alternatives like "can begin" or "may start" are grammatically correct and clearer.

When can I use "can begin" instead of "can be starting"?

You can use "can begin" in almost any context where you intend to express the possibility or ability to start something. It's a more concise and grammatically accepted form.

Is there a situation where "can be starting" is correct?

In most standard English contexts, "can be starting" is not considered correct. It's better to use alternatives that express the intended meaning more clearly and accurately.

What are some formal alternatives to "can be starting"?

For formal contexts, consider using "can commence" or "can initiate". These options offer a more sophisticated and grammatically sound way to express the beginning of something.