can surely be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can surely be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong belief or certainty about something being true or possible. Example: "Given the evidence presented, it can surely be concluded that the theory holds merit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The BE filters can surely be implemented via the NMDFB filtering property along with the receiver's MF and equalizer.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Sensible boundaries can surely be drawn.

The New York Times

Yet this imbalance, at least, can surely be righted.

The New Yorker

The same can surely be said of crime fiction.

The Guardian - Books

There can surely be no greater optimism than that.

The Guardian - Tech

Some of that expertise, they say, can surely be applied to doctors' offices and hospitals.

The New York Times - Tech

"But I'm not concerned about that now," he said — though we can surely be.

The New Yorker

Giants fans can surely be forgiven for finding it all a little bit too familiar.

The New York Times - Sports

That would destroy the Sounders-Timbers rivalry, though that loss can surely be borne.

The Economist

And the flamboyant diva can surely be relied on to put on a show.

Independent

Writing such mumbo jumbo can surely be barely any more enjoyable than reading it.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "can undoubtedly be" or "can assuredly be" to enhance the perceived authority of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "can surely be" when the evidence is weak or the situation is highly speculative. Overusing the phrase can undermine your credibility if the predicted outcome does not align with reality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can surely be" functions as a modal phrase expressing a high degree of certainty about a possibility or potential outcome. It combines the modal verb "can" with the adverb "surely" to strengthen the assertion, as Ludwig highlights.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can surely be" is a versatile expression used to convey a strong sense of possibility and confidence. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as scientific writing, it serves to highlight outcomes that are very likely to occur based on available evidence. While generally appropriate, it is important to ensure that the level of certainty conveyed aligns with the actual strength of supporting evidence. Alternatives such as "can certainly be" and "can undoubtedly be" offer subtle variations in emphasis. Thus, "can surely be" is a useful tool in persuasive and informative writing, provided it is employed with accuracy and awareness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can certainly be

Emphasizes sureness or inevitability, similar to the original phrase but with a slightly different tone.

can undoubtedly be

Highlights the lack of doubt, focusing on the unquestionable nature of the possibility.

can definitely be

Suggests a clear and distinct possibility, emphasizing the absence of obstacles.

can indeed be

Affirms the truth or reality of a possibility, conveying agreement or confirmation.

can assuredly be

Focuses on confidence and assurance, suggesting a guarantee or strong likelihood.

can undoubtedly become

Shifts the focus to future potential, implying a high degree of certainty about future development.

can without a doubt be

It highlights the absence of uncertainty in the assertion, reinforcing the sureness of the possibility being discussed.

can safely be said to be

Adds a layer of caution and justification to the assertion, implying a considered judgment.

may confidently be

Introduces a sense of assuredness, indicating the action is carried out with full assurance in its viability.

can reasonably be

Suggests that the possibility is based on logical reasoning or evidence, rather than mere speculation.

FAQs

How do I use "can surely be" in a sentence?

Use "can surely be" to express a strong belief that something is possible or will happen. For example, "With these improvements, the system "can surely be" enhanced."

What can I say instead of "can surely be"?

You can use alternatives like "can certainly be", "can undoubtedly be", or "can definitely be" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct: "can surely be" or "will surely be"?

"Can surely be" indicates possibility with a strong degree of confidence, whereas "will surely be" indicates a future certainty. The choice depends on whether you are expressing a strong possibility or a near guarantee.

What's the difference between "can surely be" and "might possibly be"?

"Can surely be" suggests a high likelihood based on available evidence, while "might possibly be" indicates a much weaker possibility, often with less supporting evidence. The former shows more confidence in the outcome.