can now be

USAGE SUMMARY

"can now be" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe a change or development that has happened in the present or recent past. Example: With the introduction of new technology, tasks that used to take hours can now be completed in a matter of minutes.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Suppliers can now be anywhere.

The Economist

Many permits can now be obtained online.

The Economist

Neither firm can now be traced.

The Economist

Everyone can now be a storyteller".

The New Yorker

"They can now be lifted".

The New York Times

These laundered funds can now be invested.

The Guardian - Opinion

The old bully can now be bullied.

The New York Times

The dual scheme can now be expanded.

SEP

So REITs can now be buying.

Forbes

Her full story can now be told.

BBC

Two leading questions can now be formulated.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can now be" to highlight a recent change or new possibility. This construction is effective when emphasizing progress or a newly available option.

Common error

Avoid using "can now be" when describing something that is inherently or permanently possible. This phrase is most impactful when indicating a change from a previous state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can now be" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating possibility or permission in the present moment as a result of a change or enabling factor. It is used to express that something is currently achievable or permissible. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can now be" is a common and grammatically correct modal verb phrase that signifies a present possibility enabled by a recent change or development. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and its usage is widespread across scientific, news, and business contexts. When writing, use this phrase to emphasize progress or newly available options. Be mindful to avoid overuse in static descriptions, as this phrase is most impactful when highlighting a shift from a previous state. Consider alternatives like "is now possible to be" or "may now be" to add nuance. Ultimately, "can now be" is a versatile tool for expressing present-day opportunities and capabilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is now able to be

Replaces "can" with "is able to", emphasizing capability.

is now possible to be

Substitutes "can" with "is possible to", highlighting feasibility.

may now be

Replaces "can" with "may", indicating possibility or permission.

is currently being

Focuses on the present action or state, omitting the sense of enablement.

can from now on be

Adds a sense of future possibility from the current moment.

it is now possible that

Emphasizes possibility with a more verbose construction.

is now eligible to be

Highlights eligibility or qualification rather than general possibility.

is now allowed to be

Focuses on permission or authorization.

has become able to be

Indicates a transition to a state of being able.

is starting to be

Implies an ongoing process rather than a completed enablement.

FAQs

How can I use "can now be" in a sentence?

Use "can now be" to indicate that something is possible or permissible due to a recent change or development. For example, "The data "can now be analyzed" with the new software".

What phrases are similar to "can now be"?

Alternatives include "is now possible to be", "may now be", or "is now able to be", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "can now be" or "is now being"?

"Can now be" indicates a new possibility, while "is now being" describes an ongoing action. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the possibility or the action itself.

What is the difference between "can now be" and "could now be"?

"Can now be" expresses present possibility, while "could now be" often refers to a past or conditional possibility. "Can now be" implies that something is currently possible, whereas "could now be" suggests a past or hypothetical scenario.