can be substantiated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be substantiated" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a claim or statement can be supported or proven with evidence. Example: "The findings of the research can be substantiated by the data collected during the study."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I don't think the charges can be substantiated at all," Mr. Schmukler said.

The New York Times

Everything depends on how well each of those arguments can be substantiated with specific evidence.

The New York Times

It is not always clear if the accusations they face can be substantiated.

The Guardian

"How many of those can be substantiated, and how lasting this increase is, I don't know," Mr. Stancik said.

The New York Times

The Marlins' $42 million payroll can be substantiated; how do we know that Torborg is an awful manager?

The New York Times - Sports

And while not every success story can be substantiated, some law enforcement officials say the fraud baiters had proved to be crucial allies.

The New York Times - Tech

That these rhythmic contractions originate in the cardiac muscle can be substantiated by observing cardiac development in the embryo (see above); cardiac pulsations begin before adequate development of nerve fibres.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ideally they recognize as income only those increases in wealth that can be substantiated from data pertaining to actual transactions that have taken place with persons outside the company.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Compliance will be judged on the context, medium, audience, product and prevailing standards" The campaign could also prompt complaints about whether or not the statements that relate to "reparative therapy" – "post-gay, ex-gay" – can be substantiated by the Christian group.

The Guardian

"This view is incorrect, however! it can be substantiated that it was used already in 1811".

SEP

But he added: "The claims in the press release are remarkable if they can be substantiated.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can be substantiated", ensure that you can actually provide the evidence to support the claim you are making. Vague claims without supporting evidence weaken your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "can be substantiated" when you lack the necessary data or proof. Instead, qualify your statement with phrases like "potentially" or "allegedly" until you have concrete evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be substantiated" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that a claim, statement, or hypothesis is capable of being supported or proven with evidence. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

31%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can be substantiated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates a claim or statement is capable of being supported by evidence. As Ludwig highlights, this phrase is most commonly found in formal contexts, particularly in science and news media. To ensure effective communication, remember to provide concrete evidence when using this phrase and avoid overstating claims without proper support. When communicating the potential for factual evidence, consider alternatives such as "can be verified" or "can be proven".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be verified

Focuses on confirming the truth or accuracy of something.

can be proven

Emphasizes the establishment of something as a fact through evidence.

can be validated

Highlights the confirmation of something's correctness or legitimacy.

can be confirmed

Stresses the corroboration of something previously uncertain.

can be demonstrated

Implies showing something clearly through examples or evidence.

can be supported

Suggests providing evidence to reinforce a claim or idea.

can be attested

Focuses on providing testimony or evidence of something's truth.

can be corroborated

Highlights the confirmation of something by independent sources.

can be justified

Emphasizes the demonstration of something's reasonableness or rightness.

can be authenticated

Focuses on proving something is genuine or valid.

FAQs

How do I use "can be substantiated" in a sentence?

Use "can be substantiated" to indicate that a claim or statement is capable of being supported by evidence. For example: "The researcher believes the hypothesis "can be substantiated" through further experimentation."

What are some alternatives to "can be substantiated"?

Alternatives include phrases like "can be verified", "can be proven", or "can be validated", which all suggest the possibility of providing evidence to support a claim.

Is it better to use "can be substantiated" or "can be proven"?

Both phrases are valid, but "can be proven" implies a higher degree of certainty and may require more definitive evidence than "can be substantiated". The best choice depends on the strength of the available evidence and the specific context.

What does it mean when a claim "can be substantiated"?

It means the claim is capable of being supported by evidence or facts. This does not necessarily mean the claim is true, but that there is a reasonable possibility of finding evidence to support it.