can be thought of

USAGE SUMMARY

"can be thought of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to suggest that something can be conceived in one's mind. For example, "The town's economic success can be thought of as a result of its citizens' hard work and dedication ."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Design can be thought of as a form of communication.

Thoughts on Interaction Design

Consequently, the superacids can be thought of as hydrogenated superhalogens.

Polyhedron

Queuing can be thought of as "bad latency".

An Introduction to Trading in the Financial Markets Technology: Systems, Data, and Networks

Variables can be thought of as containers that hold values.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Fusion can be thought of as the opposite of fission.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Can be thought of as flipEnharmonic or something like that.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The sun can be thought of as a gravitational lens.

The New Yorker

Archetypes can be thought of simply as structuring principles.

The Guardian - Opinion

Now, Darwinism can be thought of as a search algorithm.

The New Yorker

Their actions can be thought of as simply genetic reflexes.

The Guardian

Mutating genes can be thought of as tweaking parameters.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can be thought of", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the subject is being compared or likened to. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the intended conceptualization.

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice with "can be thought of". While grammatically correct, excessive passive constructions can make your writing sound weak and indirect. Consider rephrasing to use a more active voice where appropriate for a stronger impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be thought of" functions as a modal verb phrase introducing a conceptualization or a way of understanding something. As Ludwig AI suggests, it proposes a perspective. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use across diverse fields, highlighting its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

25%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can be thought of" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a particular way of understanding or conceptualizing something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Its function involves offering analogies or simplified perspectives. With its neutral tone, it is suitable for various contexts, including scientific, academic, and general writing. The phrase is particularly common in scientific and news media, suggesting its widespread acceptance. When using "can be thought of", ensure clarity in your comparison to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternative phrasing to avoid overuse of passive voice. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its broad applicability, making it a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be understood as

Focuses on comprehension rather than conception, emphasizing interpretation.

may be conceived as

Changes the verb from "thought" to "conceived" which implies a more deliberate formation of an idea.

may be interpreted as

Highlights the act of assigning meaning or significance to something.

might be viewed as

Uses "viewed" instead of "thought" to suggest a visual or observational perspective.

might be considered as

Emphasizes the act of deliberation and judgment in forming an opinion.

could be regarded as

Replaces "thought" with "regarded" to emphasize a more formal or considered opinion.

could be seen as

Similar to "viewed as", but with a slightly less formal tone.

is akin to

Implies a resemblance or similarity, rather than a direct conceptualization.

is comparable to

Suggests a comparison between two things to aid understanding.

resembles

Offers a more direct way of pointing out similarities, omitting the passive construction.

FAQs

How can I use "can be thought of" in a sentence?

The phrase "can be thought of" is used to introduce a way of understanding or conceptualizing something. For instance, "A computer "can be thought of" as a complex calculator" presents a specific way to view a computer.

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

You can use alternatives like "can be understood as", "may be viewed as", or "might be considered as" depending on the context to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "can be thought of as" or "is thought of as"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "can be thought of as" suggests a possibility or a potential way of understanding something, while "is thought of as" indicates a more established or common understanding.

What's the difference between "can be thought of" and "is defined as"?

"Can be thought of" introduces a perspective or analogy, while "is defined as" provides a precise and formal definition. The former is subjective and interpretive, whereas the latter is objective and definitive.