can be – English Grammar Profiler

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In the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 98 falls under the category of modality. It specifically focuses on the expression of general truths and tendencies using the phrase ‘can be.’

When we say ‘can be’ in this context, we are indicating that something has the potential or ability to exist or occur in a general or typical sense. It suggests that certain situations, conditions, or characteristics are possible or likely.

Here are examples that use the most common B1 vocabulary found in this structure:

  1. Appearances: “Appearances can be deceiving, so it ‘s important not to judge solely based on looks.”
  2. Choices: “Having multiple choices can be overwhelming, but it also gives us the freedom to select what suits us best.”
  3. Confident: “When well-prepared, individuals can be confident in their abilities to tackle challenging tasks.”
  4. Confusing: “Learning a new subject can be confusing at first, but with time and practice, it becomes clearer.”
  5. Cruel: “Unfortunately, life can be cruel, but showing kindness and empathy can help make a positive impact.”
  6. Disease: “Maintaining good hygiene and a healthy lifestyle can be effective in preventing the spread of contagious diseases.”
  7. Effects: “The long-term effects of environmental pollution can be detrimental to both human health and the ecosystem.”
  8. Fees: “Attending college or university can be expensive, and students should carefully consider the tuition fees and associated costs.”
  9. Helpful: “Seeking advice from experienced professionals can be helpful when making important decisions.”
  10. Option: “Having a backup plan can be a wise option in case the original plan doesn’t work out as expected.”
  11. Options: “Exploring various career options can be beneficial in finding the right path for personal growth and satisfaction.”
  12. Proud: “Parents can be proud of their children’s achievements and accomplishments.”
  13. Results: “Hard work and dedication can be rewarding, often leading to positive results.”
  14. Rewards: “Helping others selflessly can be its own reward, bringing a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.”
  15. Serious: “Neglecting one’s health can be a serious matter, as it may lead to various health issues.”
  16. Similar: “In some cultures, certain gestures or customs can be similar, despite geographical distance.”
  17. Solution: “When faced with a problem, brainstorming different ideas can be instrumental in finding an effective solution.”
  18. Stressful: “Managing time and prioritizing tasks can be crucial in reducing stressful situations.”
  19. Successful: “With determination and hard work, individuals can be successful in achieving their goals.”
  20. System: “Adopting an organized system can be beneficial in maintaining productivity and efficiency.”

Here are explained examples to illustrate the usage:

“Social media can be addictive.”

In this sentence, ‘can be’ is used to express a general truth or tendency. It implies that social media has the potential to become addictive for some individuals or that addiction to social media is a common occurrence.

Another example:

“Learning a new language can be challenging.”

Here, ‘can be’ is used to convey a general tendency or truth. It suggests that the process of learning a new language is often difficult or poses challenges for many people.

Overall, B1 point 98 in the English Grammar Profile highlights the use of ‘can be’ to express general truths and tendencies. It emphasizes the potential or likelihood of a certain situation, condition, or characteristic being true or occurring.

TLC STUDENT SPEAKING TEST EXAMPLE:

Their students can get good grades and their income can be higher.

male China B1

We follow the EGP example patterns in iWeb:

_NN can_VM be _R _J

1 RATES CAN BE AS HIGH 102 2 RATE CAN BE AS HIGH 92 3 INFORMATION CAN BE VERY USEFUL 70 4 RATES CAN BE AS LOW 64 5 PEOPLE CAN BE SO CRUEL 60 6 FILES CAN BE VERY LARGE 57 7 PROCESS CAN BE AS SIMPLE 55 8 SOLUTION CAN BE AS SIMPLE 53 9 INFORMATION CAN BE VERY HELPFUL 50 10 THERAPY CAN BE VERY HELPFUL 49 11 RATE CAN BE AS LOW 46 12 SYSTEM CAN BE AS SIMPLE 45 13 COSTS CAN BE AS LOW 44 14 FEATURE CAN BE VERY USEFUL 40 15 PAIN CAN BE SO SEVERE 38 16 SUMMER CAN BE VERY HOT 37 17 DATA CAN BE VERY USEFUL 36 18 TREATMENT CAN BE VERY EXPENSIVE 36 19 COST CAN BE AS LOW 35

20 FEES CAN BE AS HIGH 35

_NN can_VM be _J

1 PROCESS CAN BE OVERWHELMING 288 2 INFORMATION CAN BE USEFUL 285 3 WEATHER CAN BE UNPREDICTABLE 273 4 LIFE CAN BE TOUGH 230 5 OPTIONS CAN BE OVERWHELMING 222 6 PROCESS CAN BE LENGTHY 219 7 CHOICES CAN BE OVERWHELMING 213 8 INFORMATION CAN BE HELPFUL 208 9 PROCESS CAN BE DAUNTING 196 10 FEATURE CAN BE USEFUL 191 11 EFFECTS CAN BE SERIOUS 187 12 PROCESS CAN BE DIFFICULT 181 13 LIFE CAN BE DIFFICULT 180 14 TIME CAN BE DIFFICULT 178 15 SAVINGS CAN BE SIGNIFICANT 178 16 COMMUNITY CAN BE PROUD 166 17 STUDENTS CAN BE SUCCESSFUL 164 18 OPTION CAN BE USEFUL 163 19 CUSTOMERS CAN BE CONFIDENT 163 20 RESULTS CAN BE DISASTROUS 160 21 CONSEQUENCES CAN BE SEVERE 148 22 THINGS CAN BE DIFFERENT 147 23 HOME CAN BE DIFFICULT 142 24 RESULTS CAN BE DEVASTATING 141 25 PROCESS CAN BE LONG 139 26 WORK CAN BE DIFFICULT 139 27 DISEASE CAN BE FATAL 138 28 SYMPTOMS CAN BE SIMILAR 137 29 SAVINGS CAN BE SUBSTANTIAL 135 30 INFORMATION CAN BE OVERWHELMING 135 31 HOME CAN BE STRESSFUL 134

32 APPEARANCES CAN BE DECEPTIVE 132

But, as those who have taken on Russia in the past have found to their cost, 

appearances can be deceptive and there are a number of reasons why a swift victory by the west looks unlikely.

theguardian.com

33 LIFE CAN BE HARD 132 34 REWARDS CAN BE GREAT 130 35 HOURS CAN BE LONG 130 36 DIAGNOSIS CAN BE DIFFICULT 129 37 MISTAKES CAN BE COSTLY 129 38 OPPOSITE CAN BE TRUE 127 39 DATA CAN BE USEFUL 127 40 CHANGE CAN BE DIFFICULT 124 41 THERAPY CAN BE HELPFUL 123 42 PROBLEMS CAN BE DIFFICULT 122 43 BUSINESS CAN BE DIFFICULT 122 44 INFORMATION CAN BE DIFFICULT 121 45 RESULTS CAN BE AMAZING 120 46 CONSEQUENCES CAN BE DEVASTATING 118 47 JOB CAN BE STRESSFUL 114 48 DISEASE CAN BE DIFFICULT 113 49 PROCESS CAN BE TIME-CONSUMING 113 50 PROCESS CAN BE STRESSFUL 112 51 SYMPTOMS CAN BE SEVERE 109 52 INSURANCE CAN BE EXPENSIVE 109 53 EFFECTS CAN BE DEVASTATING 108 54 COMPETITION CAN BE FIERCE 107 55 PROCESS CAN BE CONFUSING 103 56 RESULTS CAN BE CATASTROPHIC 102 57 PROCESS CAN BE COMPLEX 102 58 LIFE CAN BE STRESSFUL 99 59 PEOPLE CAN BE ALLERGIC 95

60 PAIN CAN BE SEVERE 94

A2:
amazing, competition, cost, costs, customers, files, high, information, large,

low, mistakes, opposite, pain, simple, so, true, useful

FINAL EXPERT EXAMPLES:

This variety can be very different from the dialects spoken by most white people in America.

theneweuropean.co.uk

Watching entertaining content can be very effective since you might stay focused for a longer time,

and memorize new words much better.

In the beginning, learning grammar can be very difficult.

demotix.com