how can this be

USAGE SUMMARY

"how can this be" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is a question used to express surprise, confusion, or disbelief about a certain situation. You can use it in various contexts, such as: 1. "I can't believe you got the job! How can this be?" 2. "How can this be our only option? There must be another solution." 3. "The results of the experiment don't make sense. How can this be?" 4. "I never thought I'd see this day. How can this be real?" 5. "I just found out I won the lottery. How can this be happening to me?" In all of these examples, the phrase is used to express surprise and question the validity or possibility of a certain situation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

But how can this be?

The New York Times - Books

How can this be happening?

Independent

Ask: How can this be?

The New York Times

How can this be financed?

The New York Times

How can this be?

The New York Times

But how can this be done effectively?

The New York Times

How can this be? the man thinks.

The New Yorker

"I thought, 'How can this be?

The New York Times

How can this be a bad thing?

The New Yorker

"I said how can this be?

The New York Times

How can this be worth it?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "how can this be" in writing, ensure the context is clear. Provide enough information for the reader to understand the source of your surprise or confusion.

Common error

While "how can this be" is grammatically correct, it can sound informal in academic or professional writing. Consider using more sophisticated phrasing like "what is the explanation for this" or "what rationale supports this".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "how can this be" is to form an interrogative clause, expressing surprise, disbelief, or seeking explanation. Ludwig AI confirms it is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how can this be" is a commonly used and grammatically correct interrogative phrase used to express surprise, disbelief, or confusion. Ludwig AI validates this, citing multiple examples across various contexts. It appears frequently in news and media, and science, with usage spanning from neutral to slightly informal registers. While versatile, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "what is the explanation for this" in academic or professional settings to maintain a sophisticated tone. The phrase effectively questions unexpected or seemingly illogical situations, prompting further inquiry or explanation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how is this even happening

Emphasizes the occurrence of an event, expressing surprise that it is taking place.

can this actually be true

Directly questions the truthfulness of a situation.

is this really possible

Replaces the questioning of how something can be with a direct inquiry about its possibility.

could this be reality

Questions whether a situation aligns with what is considered real or genuine.

is this conceivable

Focuses on the conceivability aspect, questioning whether something is imaginable or believable.

is there a way this could be

Explores whether a situation is achievable or viable.

i find this hard to believe

Shifts from a direct question to a statement of personal disbelief.

what is the explanation for this

Seeks a reason or justification for a surprising or confusing event.

how did this come about

Focuses on the origin and development of a surprising or confusing situation.

i'm having trouble understanding this

Highlights the difficulty in comprehending a situation, rather than directly questioning its possibility.

FAQs

How can I use "how can this be" in a sentence?

You can use "how can this be" to express surprise or disbelief about a situation. For example, "The data contradicts the hypothesis; "how can this be"?"

What can I say instead of "how can this be"?

You can use alternatives like "is this really possible", "can this actually be true", or "what is the explanation for this" depending on the context.

Is "how can this be" formal or informal?

"How can this be" leans towards informal usage. In formal contexts, consider alternatives that sound more professional, such as "what is the rationale" or "what explanation exists".

What's the difference between "how can this be" and "how could this be"?

"How can this be" usually implies a present surprise or disbelief, while "how could this be" often refers to a past event or hypothetical situation. The former questions the present state, and the latter explores past possibilities.