we absolutely can

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we absolutely can" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express strong affirmation or confidence in the ability to do something. Example: "If we work together and stay focused, we absolutely can achieve our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

It was then that Ms. Phillips told him: "We absolutely can".

The New York Times

"It shows we absolutely can compete, and are competing, really well.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"We will do very, very well tomorrow in the primaries," he said, though he added that "we absolutely can win" if everyone turns out to vote.

The New York Times

"We absolutely can have growth and protection of the climate at the same time, and in doing so we will construct a much better form of economic activity and growth in terms of clean air, less-congested cities and so on," Stern says.

The Guardian

If those ideas fit within the broader objectives, then we absolutely can and should support that.

Forbes

But we continually remind ourselves that the flexibility issue is one we absolutely can (and should!) solve, and that motivates us to keep going.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The Grammy Museum's attendance is up 18% in 2013 compared with 2012, the spokeswoman said, adding that, "[We] absolutely can attribute a boost in attendance directly related to Jenni".

Los Angeles Times

He added, "We think we can absolutely do it in three and we look forward to telling that story".

The New York Times

You absolutely can.

Cornell University

"I absolutely can," Collins said.

The New York Times - Sports

They absolutely can.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we absolutely can" when you want to express strong confidence and determination about achieving a goal or completing a task. It conveys a sense of certainty and proactive capability.

Common error

Avoid using "we absolutely can" in extremely formal or academic writing where a more nuanced or less emphatic expression might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "we are capable of" or "we are positioned to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we absolutely can" functions as an affirmative expression indicating a strong belief in one's ability to accomplish something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and usable in various contexts. The word "absolutely" emphasizes the certainty and confidence behind the statement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we absolutely can" is a commonly used phrase to express strong confidence and capability. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct. It is most frequently found in news, media, business, and academic contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it should be used cautiously in extremely formal settings where a more reserved expression might be preferred. Consider alternatives like "we definitely can" or "we are capable of" for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we definitely can

Uses "definitely" instead of "absolutely" to express certainty.

we certainly can

Substitutes "absolutely" with "certainly", indicating a high degree of confidence.

we surely can

Replaces "absolutely" with "surely" to convey confidence.

we positively can

Uses "positively" to emphasize the ability to do something.

we undoubtedly can

Replaces "absolutely" with "undoubtedly", signifying no doubt about the capability.

we are capable of

Changes the structure to use "capable of", indicating ability.

we have the ability to

Employs a more formal structure expressing the ability to perform an action.

it is within our power to

Uses a more emphatic expression to indicate the ability and authority to do something.

we are in a position to

Indicates being prepared and able to take a certain action.

we are able to

Expresses the ability to do something in a general way, without the emphatic tone of "absolutely".

FAQs

How can I use "we absolutely can" in a sentence?

You can use "we absolutely can" to express strong confidence in your ability to achieve something, such as in the sentence, "If we focus our efforts, "we absolutely can" meet the deadline."

What are some alternatives to "we absolutely can"?

Some alternatives include "we definitely can", "we certainly can", or "we are able to", depending on the context and the level of emphasis you want to convey.

Is "we absolutely can" formal or informal?

"We absolutely can" is generally considered neutral but can lean towards informal due to its emphatic nature. In very formal contexts, it might be better to use alternatives like "we are capable of".

What does "we absolutely can" emphasize?

"We absolutely can" emphasizes certainty and confidence. It expresses a strong belief that something is achievable and conveys determination.