can even stand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can even stand" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the idea that something is capable of enduring or tolerating a situation, often in a surprising or unexpected way. Example: "Despite the harsh conditions, the old building can even stand the test of time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Its delicate fragrance can even stand up to the bold flavor of grilled food.

The New York Times - Food

To be honest, I'm amazed that guy can even stand up.

The New York Times

Classic depictions of action and violence can even stand alone like a musical number.

The New York Times

"It's the only time she can relax her muscles, float — she can even stand up with help".

The New York Times

They can even stand on a disc and tilt their bodies in different directions to make a metal ball encased inside it move around a spiral groove.

The New York Times - Arts

"By the end of the third hour it's not unusual for my foot to go to sleep so badly that it takes a couple of minutes to get the pins and needles out before I can even stand up.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Honestly, I can barely even stand to get my hair coloured.

The Guardian - Books

I can barely even stand to hold my breath for more than thirty seconds.

Huffington Post

And the political polarization that has marked the country since the 1970s continues today, Dudley says.  . "[Politicians] can hardly even stand thinking about implementing the plan of the opposition," Dudley said.

Huffington Post

I can't even stand needles – can you imagine a knife?" The memoir (as told to Paul Morley) took almost two years to produce.

The Guardian - Music

Nowadays, I don't think you can even do stand-up comedy without listing what kind of mental illnesses you have—it's the new "airline food".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can even stand" to highlight an unexpected capability or resilience of something or someone. For example, "The old bridge, despite its age, "can even stand" heavy traffic."

Common error

Avoid using "can even stand" in contexts where the ability to stand is already expected. This can make the sentence sound redundant or unnatural. For example, avoid saying "A healthy adult "can even stand" unaided", since this is generally implied.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can even stand" primarily functions as a modal verb phrase expressing the ability to endure or tolerate something, often in a surprising or unexpected way. Ludwig confirms this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can even stand" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to highlight the surprising or unexpected ability of something to endure or tolerate a situation. According to Ludwig, this phrase appears frequently in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts and demonstrates a neutral register suitable for diverse applications. When employing this phrase, remember to emphasize unexpected resilience and avoid redundancy in expected scenarios. Alternatives such as "is able to withstand" or "is capable of withstanding" can offer nuanced variations. Ludwig AI affirms the phrase's usability and correctness in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is capable of standing

Replaces "can" with "is capable of", emphasizing ability.

is able to stand

Substitutes "can" with "is able to", indicating potential or capacity.

is fit to stand

Uses "is fit to" instead of "can", focusing on the appropriateness or readiness for standing.

is strong enough to stand

Emphasizes the strength or force required to stand.

has the capacity to stand

Rephrases the ability to stand in terms of capacity.

is in a condition to stand

Highlights the state or condition that allows standing.

is permitted to stand

Focuses on permission or allowance to stand.

is allowed to stand

Similar to "is permitted to stand", but emphasizes authorization.

is designed to stand

Highlights the purpose or intention behind the ability to stand.

is built to stand

Emphasizes the construction or structure that enables standing.

FAQs

How to use "can even stand" in a sentence?

Use "can even stand" to indicate an unexpected or surprising ability to endure or tolerate something. For instance, "Despite the criticism, the artist's reputation "can even stand" the test of time".

What can I say instead of "can even stand"?

Alternatives include "is able to withstand", "can also endure", or "is capable of withstanding", depending on the desired nuance.

Which is correct, "can even stand" or "can stand even"?

"Can even stand" is the standard and more natural word order. "Can stand even" is less common and may sound awkward in many contexts. The correct option depends on the intended emphasis and sentence structure.

What's the difference between "can even stand" and "can still stand"?

"Can even stand" implies a surprising or unexpected ability to endure, while "can still stand" suggests that something continues to endure despite challenges or time. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize surprise or continuation.