it can be desirable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it can be desirable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing situations, outcomes, or qualities that may be seen as favorable or advantageous. Example: "In certain contexts, it can be desirable to have a flexible work schedule to accommodate personal commitments."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

That is, to endorse a notion of fairness is to endorse the view that it can be desirable to adopt a legal rule that will reduce the well-being of every person in society.

Harvard University

Once PEG-liposomes reach these sites, it can be desirable to increase the rate of release of encapsulated compound(s).

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Biomembranes

If you correlate prosperity and Swedishness with this curve, then, without contradiction, it can be desirable for one country to increase Swedishness and for another to decrease it.

The Guardian - Books

For some situations, we've suggested that it can be desirable to inhibit NAT to make the human exposure more similar to dogs.

Chemico-Biological Interactions

In use cases where it can be desirable that all modules are discovered in a dataset, e.g., to generate signatures for disease, therapy and prevention4,11,32, or to find a set of genes responsible for a biological function, methods that detect such local co-expression and/or overlapping modules could therefore provide a substantial advantage.

Nature

It can be desirable to have a fixed-length key, even though this is likely to lose more information.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Given that it has been too cheap, this can be desirable, but things can easily tip too far in the other direction.

The Economist

For all the deeply felt anxiety about excessive borrowing, "overleveraging" can be desirable and effective when it makes economic sense to break up a company, sell off parts of the business, and refocus its energies on a few core operations.

Harvard Business Review

From a management perspective, this can be desirable or not depending on the desirability of the new trait distribution.

Evolutionary Applications

Change is inevitable and can be desirable.

Fundamentals of Biologicals Regulation Vaccines and Biotechnology Medicines

Having this two-way street can be desirable, particularly if the goal is reassuring an adversary.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it can be desirable" when you want to suggest that something might be a good idea or have positive effects in certain situations, without stating it as a definite requirement. This phrasing allows for flexibility and context-dependency.

Common error

Avoid using "it can be desirable" when a stronger, more definitive statement is needed. This phrase suggests a possibility, not a necessity. If something is essential or required, use stronger language such as "it is essential" or "it must be done."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it can be desirable" functions as a qualifier, suggesting that a particular action, outcome, or characteristic is potentially advantageous or beneficial but not necessarily required or universally applicable. Ludwig AI confirms this with real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it can be desirable" is a versatile expression used to suggest that something possesses potential benefits or advantages, although not necessarily in all situations. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically sound and finds its use in varied contexts like science, news, and business. While "it can be desirable" is considered correct, it's important to use it when you want to highlight a potential benefit, not a mandatory action. Alternatives such as "it may be advantageous" or "it might be beneficial" offer similar meanings while varying the emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it may be advantageous

Replaces "can" with "may" and "desirable" with "advantageous", suggesting a possibility of benefit.

it might be beneficial

Substitutes "can" with "might" and "desirable" with "beneficial", indicating a possibility of a positive outcome.

it could be preferable

Replaces "can" with "could" and "desirable" with "preferable", suggesting a choice based on preference.

it may prove useful

Changes the structure to focus on the potential usefulness of something.

it might turn out well

Shifts the focus to the potential for a positive result or outcome.

it could be a good idea

Expresses the concept as a suggestion or a potentially wise course of action.

it may be worth considering

Emphasizes the importance of thinking about something due to its potential benefits.

there might be benefits

Focuses on the existence of potential benefits, rather than the desirability.

it is sometimes advisable

Replaces "can be desirable" with a more formal tone suggesting a recommendation.

it is occasionally advantageous

Emphasizes the occasional nature of the advantage.

FAQs

How can I use "it can be desirable" in a sentence?

Use "it can be desirable" to suggest a potential benefit or advantage in a specific context. For example, "In certain situations, "it can be desirable" to prioritize long-term goals over short-term gains."

What can I say instead of "it can be desirable"?

You can use alternatives like "it may be advantageous", "it might be beneficial", or "it could be preferable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "it is desirable" instead of "it can be desirable"?

While "it is desirable" is grammatically correct, it expresses a stronger and more general statement of preference. "It can be desirable" implies that the desirability is conditional or context-dependent, whereas "it is desirable" suggests a more universal preference.

What's the difference between "it can be desirable" and "it should be desirable"?

"It can be desirable" suggests that something has the potential to be beneficial in certain circumstances. "It should be desirable", on the other hand, implies a recommendation or expectation that something ought to be seen as beneficial or advantageous. The latter has a stronger prescriptive tone.