you can absolutely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "you can absolutely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize certainty or permission regarding an action or statement. Example: "If you want to improve your skills, you can absolutely take that online course."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"You can absolutely do that.

The New York Times - Sports

You can absolutely recognise this as Brahms' style".

Independent

"You can absolutely take that as an endorsement".

Independent

If you have a sunny south-facing window, you can absolutely do that.

The New York Times

"You can absolutely make a living as a D.J.," he said.

The New York Times

Did you just fly in?' You can absolutely predict what they're going to say to you.

The New York Times

"You can absolutely trust what Denny Hastert tells you," Mr. Coburn said.

The New York Times

She also always said to me that you can absolutely do whatever you want.

The New York Times

"With cellphones and beepers and Blackberries, you can absolutely stay in touch.

The New York Times

"You can absolutely imagine Alan Clark running riot through the palm courts.

The Guardian

You can absolutely see why a performer may not want to let go.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "you can absolutely" to reinforce advice or provide strong encouragement. It conveys confidence and reassurance.

Common error

While "you can absolutely" provides emphasis, overuse can dilute its impact. Vary your language with synonyms like "definitely", "certainly", or simply use a more direct statement without adverbs for a change of pace.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "you can absolutely" functions as a modal phrase used to express strong affirmation, agreement, or permission. It emphasizes the speaker's certainty or belief in the possibility or validity of something, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "you can absolutely" is a modal phrase that adds emphasis to express certainty, permission, or strong agreement. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media. While versatile, avoid overuse and consider the context for formality. Alternatives like "you can definitely" or "you can certainly" offer subtle variations. Use this phrase to confidently reinforce your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

you can definitely

This alternative shares a similar level of certainty but uses a different adverb for emphasis.

you can certainly

This option uses 'certainly' to express confidence, similar to 'absolutely'.

you can surely

Implies a high degree of confidence or expectation.

you can indeed

Emphasizes the truth or reality of a statement.

you are free to

Shifts the focus to permission or allowance.

it is perfectly acceptable to

Formal way to suggest something is allowed.

it is undoubtedly possible to

Adds further emphasis to the possibility.

there's no question that you can

Expresses a lack of doubt about the possibility.

it is beyond doubt that you can

The possibility or truth of this statement is certain.

without a doubt, you can

Affirms certainty or the expectation of some action or statement.

FAQs

How to use "you can absolutely" in a sentence?

Use "you can absolutely" to express strong agreement, permission, or certainty about something. For example, "If you follow these steps, "you can absolutely" succeed".

What can I say instead of "you can absolutely"?

You can use alternatives like "you can definitely", "you can certainly", or "you can surely" depending on the context.

Is it too informal to use "you can absolutely" in professional emails?

While generally acceptable, consider your audience. In some formal contexts, "you can certainly" or a more direct statement might be preferable.

What's the difference between "you can absolutely" and "you can possibly"?

"You can absolutely" implies certainty and strong affirmation, while "you can possibly" suggests uncertainty and a low probability.