can be works

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be works" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not a usable expression as it does not convey a clear meaning or grammatical structure. Example: "These methods can be works of art if executed properly."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The projects presented can be works in progress or completed endeavors.

Princeton University

PHILADELPHIA, June 17 — Hardly anyone today doubts that photographs can be works of art, but that has not always been so.

The New York Times - Arts

It argues that maps in early-modern Europe were as likely to decorate a room as paintings or tapestries were – and so puts a new twist on the truth that maps can be works of art in their own right.

The Guardian

Still, such movies, the result of long thought, careful planning, and precise execution, can be works of genius, whether they are those of Sergei Eisenstein or Alfred Hitchcock, Chantal Akerman or Wes Anderson.

The New Yorker

And the company has been dedicated to the high-minded -- some might say quaint -- idea that auto shapes can be works of art as lasting as sculpture, that form can resist the corrosive effects of time on style as well as on steel.

The New York Times

No nation is perfect and even the most flawed places in the world can be works of art if you see them with the right mindset.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

I hope something can be worked out".

The New York Times - Sports

I hope this can be worked out.

The New York Times - Sports

MR. BITONDO: That can be worked out.

The New York Times

"But you can be working at constrained angles," he said.

The New York Times

But those details can be worked out later.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "can be works" in formal writing. Instead, use more grammatically sound alternatives like "can be effective" or "can be achievements".

Common error

Be careful not to use plural nouns incorrectly with modal verbs. While "can be work" is grammatically incorrect, "can be a work" or "can be works of art" is preferable depending on the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be works" functions as a descriptor, indicating a potential state or outcome. However, it's grammatically questionable, as pointed out by Ludwig AI. It aims to express the possibility of something existing as multiple "works", but it lacks grammatical precision.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

13%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "can be works" appears in various contexts, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically questionable. It attempts to convey the potential for something to exist in multiple forms but lacks precision and is generally better replaced with clearer alternatives like "can be effective" or "can be works of art". Its occurrence in news and media sources suggests a neutral register, but its awkwardness makes it unsuitable for highly formal writing. Pay careful attention to context and consider the alternatives to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be works

Replaces "can" with "could", expressing possibility or potential.

may be works

Replaces "can" with "may", also expressing possibility or potential.

can be effective

Focuses on the potential for achieving a desired result.

can be successful

Emphasizes the possibility of achieving success or a favorable outcome.

can be creations

Highlights the potential for something to be made or brought into existence.

can be achievements

Underscores the possibility of attaining a significant accomplishment.

can be pieces

Refers to the potential for something to exist as part of a larger whole.

can be artifacts

Emphasizes the potential for something to exist as a man-made item of historical or cultural interest.

can be endeavors

Highlights the possibility for undertaking an activity with a specific purpose.

can be masterpieces

Replaces "works" with "masterpieces", giving a stronger value judgment.

FAQs

How can I use a grammatically correct alternative to "can be works"?

Consider using phrases like "can be effective", "can be successful", or if referring to artistic creations, "can be works of art".

What does "can be works" imply, and why is it often considered incorrect?

The phrase suggests the potential for something to exist as multiple creations or projects. However, it's often considered grammatically awkward because "works" is already plural. It's better to rephrase for clarity.

Is "can be works" ever appropriate to use?

While rarely appropriate in formal contexts, "can be works" might appear in informal settings or when referring to multiple projects or endeavors simultaneously. However, clearer alternatives are usually preferable.

What's the difference between "can be work" and "can be works"?

"Can be work" is grammatically incorrect due to the lack of an article before "work" or the pluralization of it. "Can be works" is slightly better, but still awkward; it's more appropriate to say "can be a work" or "can be works of art" depending on the context.