can bought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can bought" is not correct and it is not usable in written English.
If you want to write about purchasing something, you can use the phrase “can be bought”. For example, "Fresh groceries can be bought at this supermarket."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Tickets can bought at http://www.brits.co.uk PA.

Independent

All products can bought online or over the phone.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He accused the Government of measuring justice as a "bulk commodity that can bought cheaply".

Independent

JPMF's Russian Securities is an investment trust which can bought through an execution-only stockbroker.

Independent

Steroid precursors can bought over the counter at health stores or supermarkets.

The New York Times

Recently Mr. Can bought a flat-screen computer monitor from Dell.com.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Anybody can buy stocks.

The New York Times

I can buy anything".

Independent

"History I can buy".

The New Yorker

We can buy one".

The New York Times

ESPN can buy anything".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct passive form "can be bought" instead of the grammatically incorrect "can bought".

Common error

Avoid directly following modal verbs like "can", "should", or "must" with a past participle such as "bought". Use the auxiliary verb "be" to form the passive voice: "can be bought".

Linguistic Context

Grammatically, the phrase "can bought" is incorrect. It attempts to combine the modal verb "can", which expresses ability or possibility, directly with the past participle "bought". Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical error, suggesting the passive form "can be bought" instead.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

41%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can bought" is a grammatically incorrect construction. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it should be replaced with "can be bought" to properly express the possibility of purchasing something. While the phrase appears in some news and wiki sources, its incorrect usage necessitates correction for clear communication. It is crucial to avoid directly combining modal verbs with past participles and instead use the passive form. Remember, "can" expresses ability, and "bought" is the past participle of "buy", so the phrase should be “can be bought”. Alternatives include "able to be purchased", "available for purchase", and similar expressions to ensure grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be bought

Passive voice construction correctly expresses the possibility of something being purchased.

able to be purchased

A more formal phrasing emphasizing the availability of something for purchase.

available for purchase

Highlights the current state of being ready for buying.

can acquire

Focuses on the act of obtaining something, replacing "bought" with a broader term.

is purchasable

Adjective form indicating something is suitable for being bought.

can obtain

Similar to "can acquire", but may imply a less direct method of obtaining.

can secure

Suggests effort or competition in obtaining the item.

may buy

Expresses possibility or permission to buy in the future.

one can buy

Impersonal construction indicating the general possibility of purchase.

it is possible to buy

Emphasizes the possibility of buying with a more elaborate construction.

FAQs

How to correct the phrase "can bought"?

The correct phrase is "can be bought", using the passive voice to indicate that something is able to be purchased.

What does "can be bought" mean?

The phrase "can be bought" signifies that it is possible or permissible to purchase something. For example, "These tickets can be bought online."

What are some alternatives to "can be bought"?

Alternatives include "able to be purchased", "available for purchase", or "is purchasable", depending on the context.

Is "can bought" ever correct?

No, "can bought" is grammatically incorrect in standard English. The correct form to express the possibility of purchase is "can be bought".