we can are

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we can are" is not correct and usable in written English.
It appears to be a grammatical error, as "can" and "are" cannot be used together in this way. Example: "We can are going to the store" is incorrect; it should be "We can go to the store."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The Board of Directors, staff and clients of We Can are deeply saddened by the passing of Board member and Chair, Steven Wilder.

The New York Times

Those of us in the industry who labor to make the best content we can are especially sensitive to a perceived systemic bias against a group of people or type of film.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

We can be friends.

The New Yorker

We can be experimental.

The New Yorker

We can be seasonal.

The New York Times

We can be local.

The New York Times

"We can be heroes!

The New Yorker

We can be".

The New York Times

We can be that Greater Britain.

Independent

"We can be the leader.

The New York Times - Arts

We can be swept away.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "we can are" in your writing. Instead, use grammatically correct alternatives like "we are able to" or "we can be" to clearly express ability or potential.

Common error

A common mistake is combining the modal verb "can" with the auxiliary verb "are". Remember that "can" is used to express ability or possibility and doesn't require "are" after it. For example, avoid saying "we can are going"; instead, say "we can go" or "we are going".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we can are" is a grammatical error. As Ludwig AI points out, combining the modal verb "can" with the auxiliary verb "are" creates an incorrect sentence structure. The primary function it attempts is to express ability or a potential state, but it fails grammatically.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Unknown

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we can are" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in both formal and informal writing. As Ludwig AI explains, the combination of the modal verb "can" with the auxiliary verb "are" creates an ungrammatical structure. It attempts to convey ability or a potential state, but fails to do so effectively. Instead, use alternatives like "we are able to" or "we can be" to express your intended meaning clearly and correctly. While some examples exist, their presence does not validate the phrase's correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are able to

Replaces the modal verb "can" with the phrase "are able to" to correct the grammatical structure, expressing ability or capacity.

we can be

Corrects the grammar by using "can be" followed by an adjective or noun, indicating a potential state or identity.

we are

Simplifies the phrase to a statement of being, often followed by a descriptive adjective or noun.

we will be

Uses "will be" to indicate a future state or action, correcting the tense and grammatical structure.

we might be

Employs "might be" to express possibility or uncertainty about a future state.

we could be

Suggests a potential or conditional state using "could be", indicating a possibility that depends on certain conditions.

we should be

Uses "should be" to express obligation, recommendation, or expectation about a future state.

we have the ability to

Emphasizes the possession of the skill or capacity to do something.

we are going to

Indicates a planned or intended future action, replacing the modal verb "can" with a future tense construction.

we are in a position to

Highlights the favorable circumstances that enable a specific action or state.

FAQs

How to correct the phrase "we can are"?

The phrase "we can are" is grammatically incorrect. You can correct it by using alternatives such as "we are able to" or "we can be" depending on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "we can be" and "we can are"?

"We can be" is grammatically correct and expresses a potential state or condition (e.g., "We can be friends"). "We can are" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided.

Is "we can are" ever correct in English?

No, "we can are" is not considered correct in standard English. It's a grammatical error arising from the misuse of modal and auxiliary verbs.

What can I say instead of "we can are" to express ability?

To express ability, use "we are able to". For example, instead of "we can are do it", say "we are able to do it" or "we can do it".