it can erupt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it can erupt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the potential for something, such as a volcano or a situation, to suddenly become active or intense. Example: "The volcano has been dormant for years, but experts warn that it can erupt at any time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Years later it can erupt onto the skin as shingles.

Harvard University

"When suspicion and hostility is allowed to fester, it can erupt into unrest," said the attorney general.

The Guardian

"It can erupt for periods of hours to days or it can go on for much longer periods of time," Waythomas said.

The Guardian

Every unspoken Holocaust story is like a dormant volcano -- once provoked or disturbed, it can erupt and shatter whatever domestic tranquillity existed before.

The New York Times - Books

Many of them have died, and on January 31st China convicted a monk and his nephew of "intentional homicide" for having "incited and coerced eight people to self-immolate .Mr self-immolate .Mrying that, though the political change for which many TibetanSangay long yearned may seem ispossible todalsogiven a mountain of latent anger and a saying ithatn erupthoughpecthely fast.

The Economist

And when suspicion and hostility is allowed to fester, it can erupt into unrest".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

If you doubt that devotion to the software is really what drives the love of gadgets, consider the religious wars — that's the best way to describe it — that can erupt online at any moment between Apple and Android devotees, or between Windows and open-source software users.

The New York Times - Tech

Its front line can erupt anywhere, at any moment, cutting right through a marathon, an office tower, or a Muslim wedding.

Huffington Post

"If it is not permitted, society can erupt into violence.

The Guardian

Lost features a convoluted plot in which nothing is as it seems, and new story lines can erupt without warning.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And though our species evolved with motives that can erupt in violence, it also evolved motives that can inhibit violence, including self-control, empathy, a sense of fairness, and open-ended cognitive mechanisms that can devise technologies for reducing violence.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it can erupt" to describe events or situations that have the potential for a sudden and forceful outbreak, whether literal (like a volcano) or figurative (like emotions or conflicts).

Common error

While versatile, using "it can erupt" too frequently in highly formal writing can make your language seem less precise. Consider alternatives like "it may arise" or "it could escalate" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it can erupt" functions as a modal phrase indicating possibility or potential. Ludwig examples show it used to describe both literal eruptions (volcanoes) and figurative ones (emotions, conflicts). The Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

14%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

14%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it can erupt" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to denote the potential for a sudden and forceful event. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and Ludwig examples showcase its usage across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and general writing. While adaptable, it's important to consider the level of formality required for specific writing tasks. Alternatives such as "it might explode" or "it could flare up" can offer nuanced shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it might explode

Focuses more on the explosive nature of the event.

it could explode

Suggests a possibility of explosion, similar to erupting.

it may burst

Emphasizes a sudden breaking open or outward release.

it might blow up

An informal way to express a sudden and forceful event.

it could flare up

Implies a sudden increase in intensity or activity.

it may detonate

Specifically suggests an explosive triggering.

it can burst forth

Adds a sense of emergence and forcefulness to the eruption.

it might break out

Suggests a sudden commencement of something, like a conflict.

it could ignite

Focuses on the commencement of burning or a similarly intense process.

it may trigger

Highlights the initiation of an event or process.

FAQs

How can I use "it can erupt" in a sentence?

Use "it can erupt" to describe something that has the potential to suddenly become active or intense. For example, "The volcano has been dormant for years, but experts warn that "it can erupt" at any time."

What can I say instead of "it can erupt"?

You can use alternatives like "it might explode", "it could flare up", or "it may burst" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it can erupt" or "it could erupt"?

Both ""it can erupt"" and "it could erupt" are grammatically correct. "Can" indicates a general possibility, while "could" suggests a more conditional or hypothetical possibility.

What's the difference between "it can erupt" and "it will erupt"?

"It can erupt" indicates a possibility, while "it will erupt" expresses a certainty or strong likelihood. The former suggests a potential, whereas the latter suggests a future event that is expected to happen.