can lecture

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can lecture" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's ability or permission to give a lecture or talk on a specific subject. Example: "She can lecture on various topics related to environmental science."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

We can lecture, or we can listen.

The New York Times

And then you can lecture others," he said.

The Washington Post

"Nobody from the White House can lecture me".

The New York Times

Star academics can lecture to millions online rather than the chosen few in person.

The Economist

University teachers in Barcelona can lecture in English or Catalan, but not Spanish, it is said.

The Economist

Neither Russia nor anyone else can lecture Ukraine on what to do with its own constitution.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Until it gets one, it can hardly lecture anyone else.

The New York Times

MONTAUK "Chinese Culture: A Treasure the World Can Share," lecture by George Wei, an engineer at the Brookhaven National Laboratory.

The New York Times

HOBOKEN HISTORICAL MUSEUM "History You Can Eat!" lecture on heirloom vegetables by Joseph Cavanaugh, the director of the Garden State Heirloom Society.

The New York Times

How can you lecture the health hazards of smoking when you yourself are a part of that?

WikiHow

The amount of learning that takes place dwarfs any book you can read or lecture you can hear.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "can lecture" with adverbs to specify the quality of lecturing, such as "can lecture effectively" or "can lecture engagingly".

Common error

Avoid using "can lecture" when you mean simply "can talk". Lecturing implies a formal, educational setting, not just any conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can lecture" functions primarily as a modal verb phrase, indicating the ability or possibility to deliver a lecture. Ludwig AI provides examples showing its use in describing the capabilities of professors, experts, and even countries in various fields.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can lecture" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate the ability or permission to deliver a lecture. As Ludwig AI confirms, it frequently appears in News & Media and Academic contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. While alternatives like "is able to lecture" or "has the ability to lecture" exist, "can lecture" offers a concise and direct way to convey the capacity to present information formally. It's essential to use the phrase accurately, ensuring the context aligns with a structured, educational setting. Ludwig's examples highlight its versatility and relevance in various communicative scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is able to lecture

Focuses on the capability to deliver a lecture, similar to the original phrase.

is capable of lecturing

Similar to "is able to lecture", emphasizing competence.

has the ability to lecture

Emphasizes the inherent capacity to lecture effectively.

is permitted to lecture

Highlights the permission or authorization to give a lecture.

is qualified to lecture

Indicates that someone has the necessary qualifications or expertise to lecture.

is authorized to lecture

Suggests formal approval or authorization to deliver a lecture.

has the right to lecture

Emphasizes the entitlement or right to give a lecture.

knows how to lecture

Implies knowledge and skill in delivering a lecture effectively.

is in a position to lecture

Highlights the circumstances that allow someone to lecture.

is available to lecture

Focuses on the availability of someone to give a lecture.

FAQs

How do I use "can lecture" in a sentence?

Use "can lecture" to describe someone's ability or permission to give a formal presentation. For example, "She "can lecture" on topics related to art history".

What are some alternatives to "can lecture"?

You can use alternatives such as "is able to lecture", "has the ability to lecture", or "is qualified to lecture", depending on the specific context.

Is "can lecture about" grammatically correct?

While grammatically acceptable, it's often more concise to use "can lecture on" as it directly connects the ability to lecture with the subject matter.

What is the difference between "can lecture" and "will lecture"?

"Can lecture" indicates an ability or permission, while "will lecture" indicates a future intention or scheduled event. "He "can lecture" if invited", versus "He "will lecture" next Tuesday".