can used

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can used" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "can be used"? You can use "can be used" to indicate the potential or ability of something to be utilized in a certain context. Example: "This software can be used to enhance productivity in the workplace."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It can used in up to a 50 50 blend with petroleum jet fuel.

The Guardian

Yes, they can used for that, but all of that stuff is a secondary happenstance.

The Guardian - Tech

The song, Yes We Can, used parts of the New Hampshire speech as lyrics.

The Guardian - Music

Such designs can, used intelligently as in Sheffield, form the basis of an "organic" and likable alternative to conventional, box-like urban structures.

The Guardian - Arts

4. Reflect on strategies that can used to strengthen or change the role of women in a particular society and/or the world at large.

The New York Times

The Phantom Screen, however, can be mounted on the inside of the door frame where the screen can used independent of the outswinging French door.

The New York Times

But foreign companies are finding more oil reserves in Sudan, and diplomats argue that this wealth can used as a bargaining tool to end the war.

The New York Times

The money can used to help pay for an au pair, nanny or privately run care center.

The New York Times

For others you can used brain imaging like magneto-encephalography", which maps activity by the brain's natural electrical currents by recording the magnetic fields they generate.

Independent

Among the offenses that can used as an insider trading charge is wire fraud, which can result in a prison sentence of up to 20 years.

The New York Times

The others are Emergency Position Indicating Response Beacons, or E.P.I.R.B.'s, for maritime use, and Personal Locator Beacons, or P.L.B.'s, which can used only by government or military personnel or in Alaska.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you intend to express that something has the ability to be utilized, ensure you use the correct passive form "can be used". For example, instead of saying "This tool can used for analysis", say "This tool "can be used" for analysis."

Common error

Avoid using "can used" when you mean "can be used". The absence of "be" creates a grammatically incorrect sentence. Always double-check for the correct auxiliary verb and past participle combination to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can used" is an incorrect attempt to use the modal verb "can" in conjunction with a past participle. Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically wrong because it misses the auxiliary verb "be" to form the passive voice. The correct form is "can be used".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can used" is grammatically incorrect; the proper form is "can be used" to express the passive voice. Despite its common occurrence across various sources, including science and news media, its incorrectness undermines its effectiveness in formal communication. Ludwig AI identifies it as an error, emphasizing the need for the inclusion of "be" to achieve grammatical accuracy. To avoid this mistake, always ensure the correct passive voice construction when intending to convey the potential or ability of something to be utilized.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be used

Corrects the grammar to passive voice, indicating something is able to be utilized.

may be used

Replaces "can" with "may" to express possibility rather than ability, while maintaining passive voice.

could be used

Substitutes "can" with "could" to express a conditional or potential use, correcting the grammar.

is usable

Rephrases the sentence to indicate usability or suitability for a purpose, avoiding the modal verb.

can utilize

Replaces the past participle "used" with the verb "utilize", but keeps "can" as the auxiliary verb.

is permitted to use

Conveys allowance or permission to use something.

has the ability to use

Emphasizes the capability or capacity to use something.

is designed for use

Indicates the intended purpose or function of something.

serves the purpose of

Describes the function or role that something fulfills.

functions as

Highlights the operational role or capability of something.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "can" with a verb in the passive voice?

The correct construction is "can be + past participle". For instance, "can be used", "can be seen", or "can be done" are grammatically correct. Using just "can used" is incorrect.

What are some alternatives to "can be used"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "is usable", "may be used", or "could be used".

How can I remember the correct grammatical structure with "can"?

Remember that when expressing possibility or ability in the passive voice, you typically need the auxiliary verb "be" after "can" and before the past participle. Think of it as "can + be + action verb in past participle form".

Is "can used" ever correct in English?

No, "can used" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct form to express that something is able to be utilized is "can be used".