can be still

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'can be still' is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express potentiality, usually after an auxiliary verb or a modal verb. For example: "This discussion can be still continuing if we had more time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The terminology can be still more confused.

Harvard University

Nevertheless, some nanoparticles can be still scattered within the matrix.

Composites Part B: Engineering

It cannot be rerun, but its output and structure can be still examined.

Cornell University

To take one example: Vouvray can be still, sparkling, dry, medium sweet or very sweet.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Technically, the Court held that selling an "official act" can be still illegal.

The New Yorker

After 200 cycles at 5 C, a capacity around ∼146.8 mAh g−1 can be still achieved.

Electrochimica Acta

Furthermore, a specific capacitance of 559 F/g can be still maintained at high current density of 20 A/g.

Carbon

Even at 5 A g−1, a high reversible capacity of 538 mAh g−1 can be still achieved.

Electrochimica Acta

Often, a coach's vow to stay can be still be heard as he leaves to begin a new job.

The New York Times

Moreover, the reversible capacity for the hollow MoS2 MACCs can be still maintain at 876 matg−1000 1000 mAg−1.

Electrochimica Acta

However, the pulse decay method can be still time consuming and the crushed-sample method is size-dependent as our numerical simulations show.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can be still", ensure that the context clearly indicates the possibility of something continuing or remaining in a certain state. Avoid ambiguity by placing it strategically within the sentence.

Common error

Avoid placing "still" in a way that disrupts the flow or creates ambiguity. Incorrect placement can make the sentence harder to understand. For example, prefer "It can still be done" over "It can be still done".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be still" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating possibility or potential continuation. Ludwig AI shows its usage across various contexts, suggesting its versatility in expressing ongoing states or actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

69%

News & Media

19%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can be still" is a grammatically sound and frequently used modal verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it functions to express possibility or potential continuation across diverse contexts like science, news, and academia. While "can still be" is often preferred for clarity, "can be still" remains a viable option. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the potential for something to continue, and avoid ambiguous placement of "still" within the sentence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can still be

Reverses the word order for a slightly different emphasis.

may still be

Substitutes "can" with "may", indicating a possibility rather than a certainty.

could be still

Uses "could" instead of "can", suggesting a conditional or less definite possibility.

might still be

Replaces "can" with "might", conveying a weaker degree of likelihood.

can yet be

Replaces "still" with "yet", which emphasizes that something is possible up to a certain point.

is still able to be

Expands the phrase to emphasize the ability to be in a certain state.

remains able to be

Focuses on the continuation of the ability.

is yet able to be

Combines the idea of "still" and "yet" to show that something is possible before a deadline.

can continue to be

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the possibility.

can potentially be

Adds "potentially" to highlight the possible nature of the situation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "can be still" in a sentence?

You can rephrase it as "can still be" to improve clarity and flow in many contexts. The meaning remains largely the same but the emphasis shifts slightly.

What does "can be still" imply in a sentence?

It implies that something has the potential to continue or remain in a certain state, even if there are factors that might suggest otherwise. It indicates a degree of possibility or continuation.

Is there a difference in formality between "can be still" and "can still be"?

No, both phrases are generally acceptable in most contexts. However, "can still be" is often preferred in more formal writing because it's considered more standard.

When should I use "can be still" instead of alternatives like "may still be" or "might still be"?

Use "can be still" when you want to emphasize the potential or ability for something to continue. Use "may still be" or "might still be" when you want to indicate a possibility or likelihood, with varying degrees of certainty.