can be superseded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be superseded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations where one thing can replace or take precedence over another. Example: "The new policy can be superseded by future regulations if necessary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The minimum state requirements for being a substitute teacher can be superseded by a school board's and district's own hiring requirements.

The New York Times

And at least until a new government is formed, the Constitution can be superseded altogether — thanks to a document that predates it.

The New York Times

Environmentalists who are challenging the city, however, say the water right is not absolute and can be superseded by the need to address the threat to the fish, once the most plentiful in the river.

The New York Times

The specified quotas on shoes and textiles would sharply cut imports, but the formula in the law can be superseded by voluntary agreements, and the President can exempt any coun try or any category.

The New York Times

"What if down the road 25 students had an English test and decided to leave to protest the fact that the Hudson River is polluted?" Calling it a "sad state of affairs when a school's decision can be superseded by a federal judge," Mr. Petrone stands firm in the belief that the maximum penalty was appropriate.

The New York Times

Strictly speaking, if a person is at risk for harming himself, others, or is unable to care for himself, confidentiality in those circumstances can be superseded by the need to care for that person, in which case communication may be necessary with the family.

Princeton University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The Rolling Stones Return to Hyde Park: Sweet Summer Sun Saturday 10.35pm BBC1 Those hoary old black-and-white clips of the Stones' 1969 Hyde Park concert can now be superseded with this July's rather less epochal (and hugely more expensive) gig.

Independent

3. Jeremy Waldron makes a powerful case for the importance of historical memory in his classic "Superseding Historical Injustice" (before arguing that the force of historical injustices can, sometimes, be superseded).

SEP

Still, a home's infamy can often be superseded by locale, particularly in Los Angeles' luxury markets.

Los Angeles Times

But if the technology can be made to work, MOOCs could be superseded one day by what some are calling "personalised open online courses".

The Economist

At last the (Uruguayan) ghost of 1950 can be laid to rest, sadly to be superseded by a much more potent and humiliating German spectre - the "Mineirazo".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can be superseded" when you want to indicate that a rule, law, or agreement is no longer the primary authority and is replaced by a more recent or relevant one. Ensure the context clearly defines what is doing the superseding.

Common error

Avoid using "can be superseded" when you simply mean 'can be changed'. Supersession implies a complete replacement of authority, not just a modification. If something is merely altered, use 'can be modified' or 'can be amended' instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be superseded" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating the possibility of something being replaced or overridden. Ludwig examples show it often appears in contexts involving rules, laws, or agreements that are subject to change by a higher authority or newer regulation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can be superseded" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something may be replaced or overridden, often by a newer or higher authority. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently used in news, scientific, and academic contexts, and its intended purpose is to indicate a potential change in precedence or authority. While alternatives like "can be replaced" or "can be overridden" exist, it's crucial to consider the formal nature of the phrase and the context in which it is applied. Remember that supersession implies complete replacement, not mere modification. Therefore, the examples provided by Ludwig serve as a practical tool to clearly show how to use this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be superseded by

Specifies that one thing is directly replaced or takes the place of another.

can be overridden

Focuses on the act of negating or invalidating a previous action or decision.

can be replaced

Emphasizes the substitution of one thing for another.

can be annulled

Highlights the cancellation or invalidation of something, often legally.

can be nullified

Similar to annulled, but with a stronger sense of rendering something powerless.

can be invalidated

Focuses on the act of making something no longer valid or legally binding.

can be set aside

Suggests that something is temporarily ignored or dismissed.

can be supplanted

Highlights the act of displacing something with something else, often more advanced.

can be taken over

Implies that one entity assumes control or responsibility from another.

can be obviated

Indicates that something is made unnecessary or irrelevant.

FAQs

How to use "can be superseded" in a sentence?

The phrase "can be superseded" indicates that something can be replaced or overridden by something else. For example: "The minimum state requirements for being a substitute teacher "can be superseded" by a school board's and district's own hiring requirements."

What's the difference between "can be superseded" and "can be replaced"?

"Can be superseded" suggests a formal replacement, often by something of higher authority or newer. "Can be replaced" ("can be replaced") simply means one thing can take the place of another without necessarily implying a hierarchy or formal process.

What can I say instead of "can be superseded"?

Alternatives include "can be overridden", "can be replaced", or "can be set aside", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts is "can be superseded" commonly used?

This phrase is frequently used in legal, regulatory, and policy-related contexts where rules or laws may be formally replaced by newer or more relevant ones. It also appear in technical and academic contexts when something is replaced with something new and better.