can be was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be was" is not correct and usable in written English.
It appears to be a combination of two different verb forms that do not work together in standard English grammar. Example: "The project can be was completed on time." (This is incorrect.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Just how personal those relationships can be was shown by one BlackBerry recovered in Australia.

The Guardian - Tech

They were spare as can be (was a story line lettered in?).

The New York Times

"Be all you can be" was an Army recruiting slogan for years.

The Washington Post

How difficult that can be was demonstrated by a tour of the Irish battalion's outposts near Tibnin.

The New York Times

How erratic the market can be was illustrated by the next two tiles from 14th-century Samarkand.

The New York Times - Arts

Just how two-edged this sword can be was demonstrated in the last century in Central Asia, where nationalism was used as a tool of empire.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

They can be be pretty nasty.

The Guardian - Sport

All you can be is a mess.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But what they can be is communicators".

The New York Times

And how can be be sure?

The Guardian

It can be is going to every investor.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "can be was" in your writing, as it is grammatically incorrect. Use alternatives like "could have been" or "might have been" depending on the intended meaning.

Common error

Don't combine modal verbs like "can" with past tense forms like "was" in this way. Ensure that your verb tenses and modal usages are consistent and grammatically correct to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be was" is grammatically incorrect and therefore lacks a defined function in standard English. Ludwig AI confirms it is not a correct and usable phrase. Attempts to assign a function are based on speculative interpretations, which is ineffective.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can be was" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in both written and spoken English. Ludwig AI confirms that it's not a usable phrase. There are no instances of its correct usage in reliable sources. It combines a modal verb with an inappropriate verb form. Use alternatives like "could have been" or "might have been" to express similar meanings with proper grammar. Ensuring correct grammar enhances clarity and credibility in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could have been

Changes the tense and auxiliary verb to indicate a possibility in the past.

might have been

Similar to "could have been", suggesting a past possibility with a slightly different nuance.

can have been

Indicates a possibility extending from the past to the present.

may have been

Expresses uncertainty about a past event or state.

was able to be

Focuses on the ability to be in a certain state or condition in the past.

was capable of being

Highlights the capacity or potential for something to be in a particular way.

has been able to be

Similar to "was able to be" but extends to the present, suggesting continued ability.

is able to be

Shifts the focus to the present ability or possibility of being.

can potentially be

Emphasizes the potential or possibility of something being a certain way.

could possibly be

Similar to "can potentially be" but adds a slightly stronger sense of doubt or uncertainty.

FAQs

Why is "can be was" grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "can be was" combines a modal verb in the present tense ("can") with a past tense form of the verb "to be" ("was"), creating a grammatically incorrect construction. Modal verbs like "can" require a base form of the verb (e.g. "can be"), and using "was" violates this rule.

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

Depending on the intended meaning, you can use alternatives like "could have been", "might have been", or "was able to be".

How do I avoid making similar grammatical errors?

To avoid similar errors, ensure that your verb tenses are consistent and that modal verbs are followed by the correct verb forms. Review basic grammar rules and pay attention to sentence structure.

Is there any context where "can be was" might be acceptable?

No, the phrase "can be was" is not considered acceptable in standard English. It's best to avoid this phrase in all formal and informal writing.