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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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can be uses

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be uses" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "can be used"? You can use the corrected phrase when discussing the potential applications or functions of something. Example: "These tools can be used for various purposes, including data analysis and visualization."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Visualization in Engineering

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Processes (Fig. 11) can be uses to describe the exchange requirements and process map.

Where water and soap is not available, ash can be uses as a viable substitute for handwashing.

Formal & Business

Unicef

Be creative: Sandwich bags can be uses in many ways.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It can be used again.

News & Media

The Economist

(Broiler can be used).

Pie pan can be used.

Or it can be used therapeutically.

Those facts can be used as leverage.

News & Media

The New York Times

Q: What HTML can be used?

News & Media

The Guardian

Two types of facilities can be used.

Those vouchers can be used like checks.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct passive form "can be used" instead of the grammatically incorrect "can be uses". This ensures clarity and credibility in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using the plural form of the past participle after "can be". The correct structure is "can be + past participle (used)", not "can be + plural noun (uses)".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

73%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be uses" is intended to function as a passive construction, indicating the potential application of something. However, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig indicates that the correct form is "can be used".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can be uses" is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "can be used". Ludwig confirms this. Although there are a few examples of "can be uses" found across different contexts, they are infrequent and should be corrected to maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity. When writing, ensure you use the past participle "used" instead of the plural noun "uses" in passive constructions with "can be".

FAQs

What is the correct form, "can be uses" or "can be used"?

"Can be used" is the correct grammatical form. "Can be uses" is incorrect.

When should I use "can be used" in a sentence?

Use "can be used" when you want to express that something is able to be utilized or applied for a specific purpose. For example, "This tool can be used for data analysis".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "can be used"?

Alternatives include "may be used", "could be used", "can be applied", or "can be implemented", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "can be uses" ever correct in English?

No, "can be uses" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct form is always "can be used".

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Source & Trust

73%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: