you can definitely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "you can definitely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express certainty or assurance about a possibility or action. Example: "If you put in the effort, you can definitely achieve your goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You can definitely tell".

The New York Times

You can definitely see it".

The New York Times - Sports

You can definitely taste the earthiness".

The New Yorker

"You can definitely tell it's affecting him.

The New York Times - Sports

"You can definitely get a workout.

The New York Times

You can definitely taste the shade.

The New Yorker

But you can definitely tell they missed him out there".

The New York Times - Sports

You can definitely see that it's some kind of sacrifice.

The New York Times

You can definitely buy a bottle of P.B.R.

The New York Times

Yes, you can definitely read things on the Kindle.

The New Yorker

If Brad has a bad day you can definitely tell.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "you can definitely" to express a high degree of confidence about a possibility or capability. It's appropriate when you want to reassure or encourage someone.

Common error

While useful, avoid using "you can definitely" excessively in your writing, as it can become repetitive. Vary your language by using alternatives like "you certainly can" or "you absolutely can" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "you can definitely" functions as an affirmative expression of possibility or capability. It combines the auxiliary verb "can" indicating ability with the adverb "definitely" to strengthen the assertion. As Ludwig AI states, it is used to express certainty or assurance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

21%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "you can definitely" is a common and grammatically sound way to express assurance or strong possibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable and correct in written English. Its prevalence in diverse contexts, including news media, academic writing, and wikis, indicates its broad applicability. When using "you can definitely", be mindful of potential overuse and consider using alternatives like "you certainly can" or "you absolutely can" to add variety to your writing. Although it is neutral in register, its impact can vary depending on the context and should be aligned with the overall tone of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

you certainly can

Changes the adverb to "certainly", emphasizing the sureness of the possibility.

you absolutely can

Replaces "definitely" with "absolutely" for stronger emphasis.

you surely can

Substitutes "definitely" with "surely", suggesting a confident expectation.

you undoubtedly can

Uses "undoubtedly" instead of "definitely" to highlight the lack of doubt.

it is definitely possible for you to

Expands the phrase to explicitly state possibility with "it is possible", adding a formal tone.

it is assured that you can

Rephrases to highlight assurance and ability.

there's no question you can

Emphasizes certainty by stating there's no doubt.

you are guaranteed to

Conveys a guarantee of success or outcome.

you are bound to

Suggests an inevitable outcome.

it's a sure thing you can

Emphasizes that the result is certain.

FAQs

How can I use "you can definitely" in a sentence?

Use "you can definitely" to express certainty or assurance about a possibility. For example, "If you practice consistently, "you can definitely" improve your skills."

What phrases are similar to "you can definitely"?

Alternatives include "you certainly can", "you absolutely can", or "you undoubtedly can", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "you can definitely" or "you definitely can"?

"You can definitely" is generally preferred as it maintains the standard auxiliary verb + adverb + main verb structure. "You definitely can" is less common but not grammatically incorrect; its usage depends on emphasis and context.

When is it not appropriate to use "you can definitely"?

Avoid using "you can definitely" when there is significant uncertainty or doubt. In such cases, softer phrases like "it's possible you can" or "you might be able to" are more appropriate.