can be stationed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be stationed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the placement or positioning of someone or something in a specific location or role. Example: "The soldiers can be stationed at various points along the border to ensure security."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"Participant observers" can be stationed unobtrusively among the reactors.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These "distributed energy resources," or DERs, can be stationed in or near homes and businesses.

Yale University

Adding to its versatility, the Loop has a kickstand and a wall mount, so it can be stationed on any horizontal or vertical surface.

The New York Times - Tech

American helicopters can be stationed at a single airfield to carry out search-and-rescue missions for any allied personnel in Afghanistan.

The New York Times

In his view, the distinction between old Europe (where NATO troops can be stationed) and new Europe (where they cannot) has been blown away by Russia's annexation of Crimea and intervention in eastern Ukraine.Poland and the Baltic states have been NATO's most hawkish members in pushing for a strong response to Russia's destabilisation of Ukraine.

The Economist

Bush administration officials said they would not try to change Congressional limits on the number of Americans that can be stationed in the country -- 400 military personnel and 400 civilians -- or lift conditions that make aid contingent on the Colombian military's respect for human rights.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

You can basically go anywhere and be stationed with someone you know.

Huffington Post

Several spaceships, including an X-Wing Starfighter and a TIE Fighter, can be seen stationed between the buildings in the model.

Los Angeles Times

At the other end are the consumers, which can be service stations and other large companies.

Forbes

With a double crossover track at every station, any station can be at least temporarily the line's terminal station.

Urban Rail Transit

Salaries at public stations like WFUV run about a tenth of what they can be at commercial stations like WNEW.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can be stationed", ensure the context clearly indicates the entity being positioned and the location or role they are being assigned to. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the sentence's meaning is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "can be stationed" when an active voice construction is more direct and clear. For example, instead of "Troops can be stationed here", consider "We can station troops here" if appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be stationed" functions as a modal passive construction. It expresses the possibility or permission for someone or something to be placed or assigned to a specific location. The phrase indicates that the action of stationing is feasible or allowed, as evidenced by examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can be stationed" is a modal passive construction used to express the possibility or permission of placing someone or something in a specific location. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, followed by academic sources. While not overly frequent, it's a useful phrase for describing potential deployments or placements. Related phrases include "may be positioned" and "could be located", which offer similar meanings. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being stationed and where. A common error is overuse of the passive voice, where an active voice construction might be more direct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may be positioned

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

could be located

Substitutes "stationed" with "located", implying a general placement.

might be placed

Uses "might" for possibility and "placed" for positioning.

are able to be deployed

Emphasizes capability of deployment rather than simple placement.

can be situated

Replaces "stationed" with "situated", indicating placement in a specific context.

may be assigned

Implies a designated placement or duty.

could be installed

Suggests a more permanent or fixed positioning.

might be set up

Indicates a temporary or provisional placement.

are capable of being positioned

Highlights the capacity for placement.

can be appointed

Implies a formal designation to a post or location.

FAQs

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

The phrase "can be stationed" indicates the possibility or ability of positioning someone or something at a specific location. For example, "American helicopters "can be stationed" at a single airfield."

What's a good alternative to "can be stationed"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "may be positioned", "could be located", or "might be placed" to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

Is "can be stationed" formal or informal?

"Can be stationed" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it's often found in more official or descriptive writing.

Which is more accurate, "can be stationed" or "are stationed"?

"Can be stationed" implies a possibility or permission, while "are stationed" indicates a current or ongoing state of being positioned. The choice depends on whether you're describing a potential or an actual situation.