that can be seen

USAGE SUMMARY

"that can be seen" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used as a relative clause to describe something that is observable or visible. For example: - The tall building in the distance, that can be seen from miles away, is the city's iconic landmark. - She pointed to a small bird perched on the branch, which can be seen quite clearly with binoculars. - The painting hanging on the wall, that can be seen in the background of the photo, is a masterpiece by a renowned artist.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The bit that can be seen.

The Guardian - Sport

Consulting firms do not make things that can be seen.

The New York Times

The catheter releases a fluid called contrast agent that can be seen on the x-ray.

Harvard University

Pelley made a video announcement about the winners that can be seen here.

Columbia University

This is all part of a widespread phenomenon that can be seen throughout computer science.

VLDB '02: Proceedings of the 28th International Conference on Very Large Databases Hong Kong SAR, China 20–23 August 2002

Amanpour made a video announcement about the winners that can be seen here.

Columbia University

A subjective interpretation is something that can be seen differently by different observers.

Stanford University

It's named after the Atlantic Tarpon fish that can be seen off the coast here.

The Guardian - Travel

Across Newtown Creek, all that can be seen are the graceless byproducts of urban development.

The New York Times

From the sky all that can be seen is a blackened crater in the sand.

The Guardian

Now all that can be seen are garden hoses, birdhouses and mangled tree branches.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that what "that can be seen" refers to is clearly defined and unambiguous within the sentence to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "that can be seen" when the context already implies visibility. For example, instead of saying "the clear picture that can be seen", simply say "the clear picture" if it is already understood that the picture is meant to be viewed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that can be seen" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun by describing its visibility or observability. Ludwig's examples confirm this use across various contexts, showing its role in specifying what is visually perceptible.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that can be seen" is a versatile relative clause used to specify the visibility of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Science. While simple, ensuring the context clearly implies visibility is crucial to prevent redundancy. Consider alternatives like "that is observable" or "that is visible" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is visible

Replaces "can be seen" with a direct synonym for visibility, maintaining a high degree of interchangeability.

that is observable

Substitutes "seen" with "observable", emphasizing the capacity to be noticed or perceived, especially in a scientific context.

that is apparent

Emphasizes the ease with which something can be understood or noticed, shifting focus slightly from visual perception to obviousness.

that is noticeable

Focuses on the quality of being easily noticed or attracting attention.

that is perceptible

Highlights the ability to be perceived through any of the senses, not just sight, broadening the scope of the original phrase.

that is detectable

Implies the ability to be discovered or identified, often in a technical or investigative context.

what is visible

Changes the phrase to a noun clause, emphasizing the thing being seen rather than the act of seeing.

what can be observed

Uses "observed" instead of "seen", which suggests a more formal or scientific observation.

that is on display

Suggests something is intentionally presented to be viewed.

that meets the eye

An idiomatic alternative suggesting the first impression or immediate visual experience.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "that can be seen" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "that is observable" or "that is perceptible". These options are often used in scientific or academic contexts.

What's a simpler way to say "that can be seen"?

A simple alternative is "that is visible". It directly conveys the meaning of being able to be seen.

Is there a difference between "that can be seen" and "that is apparent"?

"That can be seen" specifically refers to visual observation. "That is apparent" implies something is easily understood or obvious, which may not always involve sight.

When should I use "that can be seen" versus "that is noticeable"?

Use "that can be seen" when you specifically refer to something visible. Use "that is noticeable" when you mean something attracts attention, whether visually or otherwise.