can truly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can truly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong belief or certainty about something. Example: "I can truly say that this has been the best experience of my life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Who can truly say?

The Guardian

We can truly change the medical outcomes".

The New York Times

We can truly go anywhere we want".

The New York Times

Women can truly have it all!

The Guardian - Opinion

And only she can truly forgive him.

The New York Times - Arts

No con can truly be abandoned.

The Guardian

Then, perhaps, the healing can truly begin.

The New York Times - Sports

Nothing of life can truly be seen.

The Guardian - Arts

"That way developing countries can truly reduce their emissions".

Independent

The only place I can truly relax j.

The New Yorker

Now the task of tackling poverty can truly get started.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can truly" when you want to emphasize the genuine nature or strong possibility of an action or state. For example, "I can truly say this is the best day of my life" conveys stronger emotion than "I can say this is the best day of my life".

Common error

While "can truly" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Over-reliance can make your writing sound less sophisticated. Opt for synonyms like "genuinely" or "sincerely" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can truly" functions as a modal auxiliary verb phrase, emphasizing the possibility or ability to do something in a genuine or authentic way. Ludwig's examples show it used to express strong convictions, capabilities, and genuine feelings. The modal verb "can" indicates possibility or ability, while the adverb "truly" intensifies this, suggesting a deeper or more real sense of the action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can truly" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that strengthens a statement of possibility or ability, emphasizing genuineness. As Ludwig AI shows, it appears frequently in news and media, but also finds use in formal business contexts. While generally acceptable, overuse in very formal writing should be avoided by considering synonyms such as "can genuinely" or "can sincerely". This phrase adds an extra layer of certainty and authenticity to your statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can genuinely

Emphasizes the authenticity or sincerity of the action.

can honestly

Highlights the truthful nature of the statement.

can sincerely

Focuses on the heartfelt nature of the ability or action.

can really

Offers a less formal way to express the same sentiment.

can actually

Indicates that something is indeed possible or happening.

can certainly

Highlights the sureness of the possibility or ability.

can absolutely

Emphasizes that the action is completely possible.

can effectively

Focuses on the efficiency and success of the action.

is truly able to

Rephrases to emphasize ability and genuineness separately.

can without a doubt

Emphasizes the certainty and lack of question surrounding the ability.

FAQs

How to use "can truly" in a sentence?

"Can truly" emphasizes the genuineness or intensity of a possibility or capability. For example, "We "can truly make a difference"" highlights a genuine impact.

What can I say instead of "can truly"?

You can use alternatives like "can genuinely", "can honestly", or "can sincerely" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to use "can truly"?

While "can" already implies possibility, "can truly" adds emphasis and asserts the genuineness of that possibility. It isn't always redundant, but consider if the emphasis is necessary for your intended meaning.

What's the difference between "can truly" and "really can"?

"Can truly" places more emphasis on the genuineness or authenticity, while "really can" focuses more on the degree or extent of the ability. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.