can be towed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be towed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing vehicles or objects that are capable of being pulled by another vehicle or apparatus. Example: "This trailer can be towed by any standard pickup truck."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Trawls can be towed at speeds up to nine kilometres per hour.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There may also be limits to how fast and how long a car can be towed.

The New York Times - Travel

He also said the vehicle can be towed off private property.

The New York Times

The smallest size, which can be towed by a motorcycle, looks like a white gingerbread house.

The Washington Post

The floating dock can be towed to the site, moored, and made ready for operation in a comparatively short time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Moreover, once the nuclear plant has reached the end of its life it can be towed away to be decommissioned.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

They can be built and assembled onshore and then towed out to sea, and if repairs are needed they can simply be towed back again, making maintenance easier and cheaper.

BBC

But the vast majority of cars do not have these devices, and even those that do can simply be towed away by determined thieves.

The New York Times

Any car-owner trying this trick would swiftly find their vehicle clamped or towed; but clamps have not been designed for motorbikes (yet), nor can they be towed away.In this section Guess who's coming to dinner True Brits Morpeth's grouse A plague on all your houses Charging by satellite Used spectrum, anybody?

The Economist

Unlike the boot, if you leave your car there with the Barnacle on and don't deal with the issues that got your car Barnacled in the first place, your car can easily be towed away.

TechCrunch

Power generation ships and barges can sail or be towed wherever they are needed, and simply dock in a local port.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an object's ability to be towed, ensure you specify the type of vehicle or mechanism that can perform the towing for clarity. For example, instead of saying "This can be towed", say "This can be towed by a standard pickup truck".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "can be towed" without specifying what is doing the towing. This can lead to ambiguity and confusion for the reader. Always provide the towing vehicle or mechanism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be towed" functions as a passive construction indicating the capability of an object to be pulled or dragged by another vehicle or device. According to Ludwig, this is a grammatically correct and widely used expression in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

18%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can be towed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction indicating the ability of an object to be pulled or dragged by another vehicle. Ludwig confirms its validity and wide applicability across various contexts. Its neutral register and common usage make it suitable for diverse writing scenarios. When using this phrase, remember to provide sufficient context by specifying what is doing the towing, and remember to select from a range of potential alternatives depending on the specific intention of your writing, such as is towable. Ludwig examples showed that most occurrences of this phrase happened in "News & Media".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is towable

Emphasizes the inherent capability of being towed as a characteristic.

is designed to be towed

Focuses on the intentional design for towing.

is capable of being towed

Highlights the ability to be towed, focusing on the potential rather than the action.

is suited for towing

Highlights the suitability or fitness for being towed.

may be towed

Indicates a possibility or permission for towing.

is prepared for towing

Emphasizes the readiness or preparation for the act of towing.

can be hauled

Uses a synonym for "towed", suggesting a more forceful or heavy pulling action.

is equipped for towing

Highlights specific features or equipment that enable towing.

can be dragged

Implies a less controlled or more forceful pulling action than "towed".

can be transported by towing

Specifies "towing" as the method of transportation.

FAQs

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

Use "can be towed" to describe an object's ability to be pulled or dragged by another vehicle or mechanism. For example: "The trailer "can be towed" by a mid-size SUV".

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

Alternatives include "is towable", "is capable of being towed", or "can be hauled", depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

Which is correct, "can be towed" or "can towed"?

"Can be towed" is correct. The auxiliary verb "be" is necessary to form the passive voice. "Can towed" is grammatically incorrect.

What does it mean when something "can be towed"?

It means that the object is designed or capable of being pulled or dragged by another vehicle or mechanism, such as a truck, tractor, or boat. The specific requirements for towing (e.g. weight capacity, hitch type) may vary.