can we guarantee

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can we guarantee" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when inquiring about the certainty or assurance of a particular outcome or situation. Example: "Can we guarantee that the project will be completed on time, given the current resources?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

How can we guarantee everybody is treated with respect?

The Guardian

"If not, how can we guarantee sustainable results?

The Guardian - Business

"Can we guarantee that this won't happen again?

The Guardian

Can we guarantee that people will be able to actually live the homes they purchase?

The Guardian - Opinion

Can we guarantee that the Taliban will stay out of power?

The New York Times

Can we guarantee that Afghan troops will have the ability to take responsibility for their own security?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

"For some parents, I understand that they have concerns about can we ever guarantee that this is it now.

BBC

Can we confidently guarantee adequate and consistent stewardship of physical or hydraulic containment strategies?

Environmental Health Perspectives

Next question: Can we be guaranteed that the judges will deliver the most honest decision?

The New York Times - Sports

"That's the amount of time we feel we can guarantee the materials we used to craft it".

The New York Times - Arts

"With Intuit GoPayment, we can guarantee we're getting paid upfront for our services, even if our customers don't have cash or checks on them to pay".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "can we guarantee", consider the context and whether a true guarantee is possible. Often, it's more accurate to discuss probabilities, likelihoods, or risk mitigation strategies rather than absolute guarantees.

Common error

Avoid using "can we guarantee" when the outcome is uncertain or dependent on external factors beyond your control. Instead of offering a guarantee, focus on outlining the steps you'll take to achieve a desired outcome and the potential challenges you might encounter.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can we guarantee" functions as an interrogative clause, primarily used to inquire about the possibility of ensuring a specific outcome or the level of certainty associated with a particular result. As Ludwig confirms, this is a correct and usable structure in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can we guarantee" is a grammatically correct and commonly used interrogative clause that seeks assurance or confirmation about the certainty of an outcome. As stated by Ludwig, the phrase is perfectly correct. It is prevalent in news, scientific, and business contexts and exhibits a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse audiences. While versatile, it is essential to consider the realism of offering a guarantee and avoid overstating certainty. Related phrases like "can we ensure" or "is it possible to ensure" may be more appropriate depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is it possible to ensure

Focuses on the feasibility of ensuring something.

can we assure

Emphasizes giving confidence or certainty to someone.

can we secure

Highlights the act of obtaining or protecting something.

is there a way to guarantee

Poses the question of whether a method exists to ensure an outcome.

how can we ensure

Focuses on the method or process of ensuring something.

how can we assure

Focuses on the method or process of giving confidence or certainty.

what measures can we take to guarantee

Emphasizes the specific actions needed to ensure an outcome.

what steps can we take to assure

Emphasizes the sequence of actions needed to build or maintain trust.

is it realistic to guarantee

Questions the practicality of providing a guarantee.

under what conditions can we guarantee

Explores the circumstances that would allow a guarantee to be made.

FAQs

How to use "can we guarantee" in a sentence?

Use "can we guarantee" to inquire about the possibility of ensuring a particular outcome. For example, "Can we guarantee the project will be completed on time?"

What can I say instead of "can we guarantee"?

You can use alternatives such as "can we assure", "can we ensure", or "is it possible to ensure" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "can we guarantee"?

It's appropriate when questioning the possibility of ensuring a specific result. However, consider whether offering a guarantee is realistic or if a more cautious approach, focusing on probabilities, is more suitable.

What's the difference between "can we guarantee" and "can we ensure"?

"Can we guarantee" implies a stronger level of certainty and a formal commitment, while "can we ensure" focuses on taking steps to make something certain but doesn't necessarily imply a formal promise. It's a bit softer.