Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

it can very

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it can very" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "it can vary"? If this is the case, you can use it when discussing how something can change or differ in various situations. Example: "The temperature can vary significantly between day and night in the desert."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Transcriptome analysis cannot measure oxidative stress, but it can very clearly detect its footprints, in the form of Nrf-2 target genes (Fredriksson et al. 2014; Limonciel et al. 2015; Wilmes et al. 2014; Hamon et al. 2014).

If the medium solid is magnetite, it can very easily be cleaned from slimes using its magnetic property.

Unemo warned, "When you get into the population of young heterosexuals, it can very quickly spread".

News & Media

The New Yorker

"It's not a good practice because it can very easily lead to confusion".

News & Media

The New York Times

However, it can very much depend on the role you're trying to progress into.

News & Media

The Guardian

It can very easily be outweighed by the other polls if they are in disagreement with it.

News & Media

The New York Times

It can very dificult for a sophomore student to be sure that the PhD and professoriate is the right career choice.

"If the government assures stability, this country has the resources and the people, so it can very quickly rejoin the world".

News & Media

The New York Times

But when it's the heir to the throne doing it and he has access to the people supposedly running the country, then it can very easily become harmful.

News & Media

The Guardian

It can very easily be perceived as saying: "This is a real issue, not because mental illness is real, but because it demonstrably costs the economy money.

In fact it can very often be satisfying to finish a piece of work, a race, a challenge or something that has been bothering you for some time.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "it can very" in formal or academic writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "it can easily" or "it is very likely" to maintain clarity and credibility.

Common error

Don't assume that "very" can be used freely with any verb. While "very" correctly modifies adjectives and adverbs (e.g., "very good", "very quickly"), it doesn't typically modify verbs directly. Misusing it can lead to grammatically incorrect phrases like "it can very."

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it can very" is an incorrect grammatical construction. Standard English dictates that "very" modifies adjectives or adverbs, not verbs directly. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is not correct. Examples demonstrate uses where alternative phrasing would be more appropriate.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

28%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it can very" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. Although some sources, particularly news outlets, may use the phrase, it's best to opt for grammatically sound alternatives like "it can easily", "it is very likely", or "it may very well", depending on the intended meaning. Avoiding "it can very" will enhance the clarity and credibility of your writing, especially in formal or professional contexts.

More alternative expressions(6)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is very likely

This option keeps the word "very" but uses the correct grammar using the word 'likely'.

it can easily

This alternative replaces "very" with "easily", providing a grammatically correct and common way to express that something is readily achievable or likely to occur.

it can quickly

This option substitutes "very" with "quickly", indicating that something can happen in a short amount of time, maintaining grammatical accuracy.

it can potentially

Replaces "very" with "potentially", suggesting a possibility rather than a certainty. This maintains a correct grammatical structure.

it could readily

Substituting "it can very" with "it could readily" shifts the focus to potential and ease, employing grammatically sound construction.

it is highly likely

This alternative provides a more formal and emphatic way to express a strong possibility, avoiding the grammatically questionable "very".

it may readily

By using "it may readily" instead of "it can very", the expression conveys both possibility and ease, all while upholding correct grammatical standards.

it is quite possible

Similar to "highly likely", this option conveys possibility in a grammatically sound manner, replacing the incorrect "very".

it's quite probable

Replacing "it can very" with "it's quite probable" introduces a more formal and grammatically correct way to indicate a high degree of likelihood.

it may very well

This phrase, while containing "very well", functions as an idiom expressing likelihood or certainty. It offers a more nuanced alternative.

FAQs

Is "it can very" grammatically correct?

No, "it can very" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The adverb "very" typically modifies adjectives or other adverbs, not verbs directly. Using alternatives like "it can easily" or "it is very likely" is recommended.

What are some alternatives to "it can very"?

Depending on the intended meaning, you can use phrases like "it can easily", "it can quickly", or "it may very well".

When is it appropriate to use "it can very"?

While some sources may use "it can very", it is generally not considered standard English. It is best to avoid this phrase in formal writing. If you are unsure if you should use it, consider an alternative.

How can I avoid making mistakes with adverbs like "very"?

Pay attention to the parts of speech that adverbs modify. "Very" is generally used to intensify adjectives (e.g., "very beautiful") or other adverbs (e.g., "very quickly"). Avoid using it directly with verbs, as this often results in incorrect grammar. Use other adverbs or rephrase the sentence for clarity.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: