of which can be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of which can be" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; a more appropriate structure would be "of which" followed by a verb or noun that fits the context. Example: "There are several options available, of which some can be quite beneficial."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Positioning of which can be a little awkward.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Experts offered several theories, none of which can be verified.

The New York Times

All of which can be used to address the problem.

Harvard Business Review

Neither of which can be defined as irony".

The New York Times - Magazine

Historians give two answers, neither of which can be right.

The New York Times

There are plenty of spectacular walks in the area, all of which can be done naked.

The Guardian - Travel

All of which can be a strain, if I'm not alone.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The coding is sent through broadcast signals, the reception of which can be blocked by cable.

The New York Times

There are hundreds more questions and answers, all of which can be accessed by clicking here.

The Guardian - Sport

He now owns about 40 camels in Cromvoirt, roughly 10 of which can be milked.

The New York Times

It does have its flaws, some of which can be traced to its awkward, protracted genesis.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "of which can be" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives like "that can be" or "which may be".

Common error

Don't force the phrase "of which can be" into sentences where a simpler construction would suffice. Often, replacing it with "that are" or rephrasing the sentence entirely results in a more readable and grammatically correct sentence.

Linguistic Context

Relative Clause Connector: While not strictly a grammatical function, "of which can be" introduces a relative clause that provides additional information about a preceding noun or pronoun. Despite its frequent usage, as demonstrated by Ludwig, it's often considered grammatically awkward and can be replaced with more concise alternatives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

23%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "of which can be" is a common construction used to introduce relative clauses expressing possibility or applicability. However, Ludwig AI identifies this phrase as grammatically incorrect, suggesting that a simpler and more direct phrasing is often preferable. While frequently encountered in diverse sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, opting for alternatives such as "that can be" or "which may be" is advisable, particularly in formal writing. The frequency of this phrase across various contexts indicates its widespread use, yet its grammatical ambiguity suggests a need for careful consideration and potential revision in polished writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that can be

A more direct and grammatically standard way to express the possibility or characteristic.

which may be

Emphasizes possibility or uncertainty regarding the attribute or state.

some of which are

Specifically addresses cases where only a portion of the referenced group possesses the characteristic.

all of which are

Indicates that the characteristic or possibility applies to the entire group.

none of which are

Expresses that the mentioned aspect is impossible for all of the subjects

of which is

Simplifies the structure, focusing on a singular element.

which are

A very generic form to express inclusion to the subject

that are

Expresses a general fact about a thing

some of which could be

Expresses possibility in the mentioned subject

which might be

Similar to "which may be", emphasizing a slightly lower probability.

FAQs

Is "of which can be" grammatically correct?

Generally, "of which can be" is considered grammatically incorrect in formal English. Ludwig AI highlights that a better structure would involve "of which" followed by a verb or noun fitting the context, or using alternatives like "that can be".

What are some alternatives to "of which can be"?

You can use alternatives like "that can be", "which may be", or rephrase the sentence for better clarity. The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "of which can be"?

While frequently found in writing, especially news and media, it is advisable to avoid "of which can be" in formal or academic writing due to its questionable grammatical status. Aim for more precise and standard phrasing.

How can I rephrase a sentence that uses "of which can be"?

Identify the core meaning of the sentence and replace "of which can be" with a simpler phrase like "that are", "which may be", or rewrite the sentence entirely to eliminate the need for the construction. For example, instead of "Several options are available, of which some can be beneficial", you could say "Several options are available, and some of them may be beneficial".