it can be useful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it can be useful' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something has potential value or application. For example: "Exercising regularly is good for overall health; it can be useful to incorporate yoga into your fitness routine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It can be useful to use media stories and hype too," admits Seligman.

BBC

It can be useful to use the term.

Huffington Post

It can be useful.

The New York Times - Arts

"It can be useful," she said.

The New York Times

It can be useful to promote growth.

The Guardian

But get the balance right and it can be useful.

The Guardian - Tech

It can be useful with stuff like recruitment.

The Guardian

Anonymous speech can be abused, but it can be useful.

The New York Times

That is why it can be useful to see a specialist".

The Guardian

It can be useful to work with others to get the ball rolling.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It can be useful in cases where there is some chance that a sentence will offend.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it can be useful", ensure the context clearly specifies what 'it' refers to. Avoid ambiguity by providing sufficient context or explicitly naming the subject.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "it can be useful" without varying your sentence structure or providing enough specific detail about what 'it' refers to. This can make your writing repetitive and less engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it can be useful" functions as a modal expression indicating potential benefit or applicability. It suggests that something possesses the capacity to be helpful or advantageous in certain circumstances. Ludwig AI highlights numerous examples across diverse contexts, confirming its widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

49%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it can be useful" expresses the potential value or applicability of something. Grammatically correct and "Very common", as shown by Ludwig AI, it's widely used across diverse contexts, including News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, clarity is key; ensure the context clearly defines what 'it' refers to, and avoid overuse in consecutive sentences without specificity. Alternatives like "it can be helpful" or "it can come in handy" can provide variety. Remember, the usefulness is conditional; "it can be useful" suggests potential, not guaranteed benefit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it can be helpful

Replaces "useful" with "helpful", emphasizing the supportive nature of the action or item.

it can be advantageous

Substitutes "useful" with "advantageous", highlighting the benefits and favorable outcomes.

it can be beneficial

Changes "useful" to "beneficial", focusing on the positive effects or gains.

it might prove useful

Adds a degree of uncertainty using "might prove", suggesting a possibility of usefulness.

it could be of use

Rephrases the sentence structure, focusing on the "use" aspect.

it can come in handy

Uses the idiom "come in handy", implying usefulness in a particular situation.

it can serve a purpose

Emphasizes the function or intended use of something.

it has its uses

Suggests that something is useful in certain specific situations, even if not universally.

it can be of assistance

Replaces "useful" with "of assistance", creating a more formal tone.

it can lend itself well

Indicates that something is well-suited or adaptable to a specific purpose.

FAQs

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

Use "it can be useful" to suggest something has potential value or application. For example, "Learning a new language "can be useful" for travel and career opportunities."

What are some alternatives to "it can be useful"?

You can use alternatives like "it can be helpful", "it can be advantageous", or "it can come in handy depending on the context."

Is there a more formal way to say "it can be useful"?

Yes, you could say "it can be beneficial" or "it can be of assistance" for a more formal tone.

What is the difference between "it can be useful" and "it is useful"?

"It can be useful" suggests a possibility or potential for usefulness, while "it is useful" states a definite fact about its usefulness. "It is useful" implies that something is certainly helpful or effective, whereas "it can be useful" means the usefulness is conditional or situational.