can walk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can walk" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the ability to walk, often in contexts discussing physical capabilities or actions. Example: "After months of therapy, she finally can walk without assistance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He can walk.

The New York Times

You can walk, though.

The New Yorker

Such assets can walk.

The Economist

"I can walk, so..

The Washington Post

Another can walk through walls.

The New Yorker

'Cause you can walk now.

The New Yorker

"Bars You Can Walk Through"?

The New Yorker

"You can walk to skiing.

The New York Times - Travel

I can walk.

The New York Times - Travel

You can walk back.

The New Yorker

"Anyone can walk in".

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's recovery from an injury, use "can walk" to highlight their regained ability. For example: "After months of therapy, she can walk again".

Common error

Avoid using "can walk" when a simpler verb like "walks" would suffice. For instance, instead of "He can walk to school", consider "He walks to school" for conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can walk" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing the ability or capacity to perform the action of walking. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

10%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can walk" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the ability to ambulate. Ludwig AI identifies it as valid and its usage spans diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media. While appropriate for both formal and informal settings, alternatives like "is able to walk" may be more suitable for highly formal situations. Use "can walk" to clearly convey the capacity for walking, especially when discussing recovery or accessibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is able to walk

This alternative replaces the modal verb "can" with "is able to", maintaining the same meaning but with a slightly more formal tone.

has the ability to walk

This phrase emphasizes the possession of the skill or capacity to walk, adding a bit more emphasis than "can walk".

is capable of walking

Similar to "is able to walk", but may suggest a higher degree of certainty or reliability in the ability.

retains the capacity to walk

Implies the ability to walk has been maintained despite potential challenges or risks to that capacity.

maintains the ability to walk

Similar to "retains the capacity to walk", emphasizing the continuation of walking ability.

is permitted to walk

This alternative shifts the focus from ability to permission or authorization to walk.

is allowed to walk

Synonymous with "is permitted to walk", this also emphasizes permission rather than inherent ability.

has the freedom to walk

This highlights the liberty to walk, often in contexts where freedom of movement is significant.

is ambulatory

This is a more concise and formal way of saying "can walk", typically used in medical or clinical contexts.

is mobile on foot

This highlights the method of movement, emphasizing that the person is able to move around using their feet.

FAQs

What does "can walk" mean?

The phrase "can walk" signifies the ability or capacity to ambulate or move on foot. It indicates that someone or something has the physical capability to walk.

How can I use "can walk" in a sentence?

You can use "can walk" to describe someone's ability to move on foot, such as, "After the surgery, he finally "is able to walk" without assistance."

What are some alternatives to "can walk"?

Alternatives include "is able to walk", "has the ability to walk", or "is capable of walking", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "can walk" formal or informal?

The phrase "can walk" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "is able to walk" may be preferred in highly formal situations.