can to select

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can to select" is not correct in written English.
It appears to be a grammatical error, as "can" should not be followed by "to" in this context. Example: "You can select the options that best suit your needs."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Seriously, we do the best we can to select the best companies, but obviously, we're not perfect.

TechCrunch

Once you find a wilted flower, equip the watering can as you would any other tool: hit the "X" button to open up your inventory, and press "A" over the watering can to select it.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

You can hold You can hold to select multiple pages at once.

WikiHow

Second Home is highly successful, and Silva can afford to "select the community" very carefully.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You can listen to select scenes from LSD: The Opera at lsdtheopera.com.

Vice

At the game's start, players can choose to select Sonic, Tails, or both.

Wikipedia

RIG-I can bind to select RNAs in a native gel electrophoresis [7].

Plosone

Users can drag to select any region of interest for detailed inspection in the Focus view.

Bioinformatics

Equally, it can help to select the most appropriate means of assessment.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

You can choose to select either one.

WikiHow

You can choose to select all or select none.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "can to select". Replace it with grammatically correct alternatives such as "are able to select" or "can choose to select" to ensure clarity and professionalism in your writing.

Common error

Be mindful of using "can" followed by "to" with another verb. This construction is often grammatically incorrect. Instead, use "can" directly with the verb or rephrase using "able to" or "allowed to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can to select" functions as an attempt to express the ability or permission to choose something. As Ludwig AI indicates, this construction is grammatically incorrect. Correct alternatives include "can select" or "are able to select".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can to select" is considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI highlights that the modal verb "can" should be followed directly by the base form of the verb, without the infinitive marker "to". Valid alternatives include "are able to select" or "can choose to select". While examples exist across various sources, they often represent errors rather than accepted usage. For clear and professional communication, avoid this phrase and opt for grammatically sound alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are able to select

Replaces "can" with "are able to", providing a more formal and grammatically sound alternative.

have the ability to select

Expresses the capacity to select, highlighting the capability or potential for selection.

can make a selection

Replaces "select" with "make a selection", focusing on the action of choosing rather than the direct act of selecting.

can choose to select

Includes both "can" and "choose to" to emphasize the act of making a selection, adding redundancy but clarifying intent.

can decide to select

Emphasizes the decision-making aspect of selecting, focusing on the user's intent to select.

is able to pick

Similar to "are able to select" but uses "pick" instead of "select" to give the phrase a more informal tone.

can opt to select

Replaces "choose" with "opt" which means "make a choice from a range of possibilities", keeping the meaning of selecting, but it is mostly used in formal context.

can pick to select

Offers a more informal alternative, replacing "choose" with "pick" which is mostly used in spoken english.

can proceed to select

Implies a sequence of actions where selection is the next step.

have permission to select

Emphasizes the authorization or allowance to select, focusing on the permission aspect.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "can select"?

The correct usage is to follow "can" directly with the verb "select", as in "You "can select" the options that best suit your needs."

What are some alternatives to "can to select"?

Instead of "can to select", use phrases like "are able to select", "can choose to select", or "have the ability to select".

Is "can to select" grammatically correct?

No, "can to select" is not grammatically correct. The modal verb "can" should be followed directly by the base form of the verb, without "to". Use ""can select"" instead.

How can I avoid errors when using "can" with other verbs?

Ensure that "can" is directly followed by the base form of the verb (e.g., "can select"). If you need to use "to", rephrase using "able to" or "allowed to".