can be undone

USAGE SUMMARY

"can be undone" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe an action which could be reversed or changed. For example: "The mistake he had made could be undone with a simple apology to his coworkers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What is done can be undone".

The New York Times - Arts

"But what can be done, can be undone".

The New York Times

Trump's orders can be undone by the next president.

The Washington Post

They can be undone by too much ambition.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some of the damage can be undone, some not".

The New York Times

"So much can be undone by such incidents".

The New York Times

The optimists still watching the spectacle unfold are left wondering how much damage can be undone.

University of California, Berkeley

Any segments can be "undone" without exiting the drawing routine whenever the prompt includes "u=undo".

Harvard University

It follows that she also understands shrewdly how power can be undone.

The New York Times - Books

The larger question, however, is whether the damage can be undone.

The New York Times

But all that training can be undone the moment the students hit their clinical years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can be undone" when you want to emphasize the possibility of reversing a process or action. This is particularly useful in discussions about policies, decisions, or actions that are not necessarily permanent.

Common error

While "can be undone" is generally acceptable, avoid using it excessively in highly formal or technical writing. Opt for more precise synonyms like "reversed", "rectified", or "amended" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be undone" functions as a passive verb phrase indicating the possibility of reversing a previous action or state. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where decisions, policies, or actions are described as reversible.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

19%

Science

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can be undone" is a versatile passive verb phrase that signifies the possibility of reversing or changing a previous action. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, especially in news, academic, and scientific writing. While generally neutral in register, it's best to avoid overuse in highly formal settings by opting for more precise synonyms. Remember to use this phrase when emphasizing the potential for reversal and flexibility in a given situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be reversed

Focuses on the action of reversing a process or change, similar to undoing.

can be rectified

Emphasizes correcting something that is wrong or mistaken.

can be corrected

Highlights the act of making something accurate or free from errors.

can be amended

Suggests a formal alteration or improvement.

can be repealed

Specifically refers to the cancellation of a law or regulation.

can be invalidated

Implies making something null and void, often in a legal context.

can be nullified

Similar to invalidated, but can also apply to less formal situations.

can be mitigated

Addresses reducing the severity or impact of something negative.

can be alleviated

Focuses on easing or relieving a burden or problem.

can be attenuated

Highlights the action of weakening or reducing the force of something.

FAQs

What does "can be undone" mean?

The phrase "can be undone" means that something that has been done or created is capable of being reversed, cancelled, or returned to its previous state.

What are some alternatives to "can be undone"?

You can use alternatives like "can be reversed", "can be corrected", or "can be rectified" depending on the specific context.

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

You can use "can be undone" to describe actions or processes that are not permanent, for example: "The damage caused by the policy changes can be undone with new legislation".

Is it always possible for something that "can be undone" to be fully restored to its original state?

Not necessarily. While "can be undone" implies the possibility of reversal, the extent to which something can be fully restored depends on the specific situation and the nature of the action or process in question. Sometimes only partial restoration is possible.