definitely can

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "definitely can" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express strong assurance or certainty about the ability to do something. Example: "I definitely can help you with your project if you provide me with the details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But you definitely can".

The New York Times - Magazine

"We definitely can do it.

The Guardian - Sport

"It definitely can be done".

The New York Times - Sports

"I definitely can find another job".

The New York Times

But now we definitely can be heard".

The New York Times

You definitely can sense that special feeling about this tournament".

The New York Times

"Rumours definitely can change one's perception of these candidates.

Independent

"It definitely can and will go beyond Rampart," he said.

The New York Times

"They definitely can be opened up," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

"It definitely can produce unpredictable results," said Clune.

The Guardian - Tech

I definitely can open the door for black managers.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "certainly can" or "undoubtedly can" instead of "definitely can".

Common error

While "definitely can" is grammatically sound, overuse in formal contexts may sound less professional. Vary your language with synonyms like "certainly can" or "absolutely can" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "definitely can" functions as an affirmative expression of ability or possibility. It combines the adverb "definitely", which intensifies the assertion, with the auxiliary verb "can", indicating capability. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

12%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "definitely can" is a versatile and commonly used expression to convey strong assurance or certainty. It is grammatically correct and appears frequently in various contexts, from news and media to scientific publications. While Ludwig AI confirms its broad acceptability, consider using synonyms like "certainly can" or "absolutely can" for more formal tone. As this guide highlights, understanding the nuances of "definitely can" helps in effective and contextually appropriate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

certainly can

Replaces "definitely" with "certainly", offering a slightly more formal tone while maintaining the same meaning.

absolutely can

Substitutes "definitely" with "absolutely", emphasizing a stronger sense of certainty and conviction.

undoubtedly can

Uses "undoubtedly" instead of "definitely", suggesting that there is no room for doubt about the possibility.

surely can

Replaces "definitely" with "surely", implying confidence in the ability to perform an action.

without a doubt can

Adds the phrase "without a doubt" to emphasize the certainty of being able to do something.

definitely have the ability to

Expands the phrase to explicitly state "have the ability to", making the capability more explicit.

confidently can

Emphasizes the confidence in the ability to perform an action, adding a nuance of self-assurance.

positively can

Substitutes "definitely" with "positively" to denote a very affirmative stance about the ability.

indeed can

A more formal way of saying "definitely can", suitable for professional or academic contexts.

beyond question can

Expresses that there is no debate or doubt about the ability to do something.

FAQs

What does "definitely can" mean?

The phrase "definitely can" is used to express a strong sense of certainty or assurance about someone's or something's ability to do something.

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

You can use "definitely can" to express confidence in your or someone else's ability. For instance, "I "definitely can" help you with that task" shows assurance in your capacity to assist.

What can I say instead of "definitely can"?

You can use alternatives like "certainly can", "absolutely can", or "undoubtedly can" to convey a similar meaning with slight variations in tone.

Is "definitely can" grammatically correct?

Yes, "definitely can" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both spoken and written English. It follows the standard structure of an adverb modifying an auxiliary verb.