"this can be" vs "this would be"

Question

"this can be" vs "this would be"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'This can be' is used to express possibility or ability, while 'this would be' is used to express a hypothetical situation or a future possibility. Therefore, the choice between the two depends on the intended meaning.

Last Updated: March 20, 2024

Use 'this can be' to indicate that something is possible or capable of happening.

Examples:

This can be a challenging task.
This can be done easily with the right tools.
This can be the solution to our problem.
This can be a great opportunity for us.
This can be a mistake if not handled carefully.

Alternatives:

this may be
this could be
this might be
this is possible
this is capable of being

Use 'this would be' to talk about a hypothetical situation or a future possibility that is not certain.

Examples:

This would be a great opportunity if we could make it work.
This would be the perfect solution to our problem.
This would be a mistake to ignore their advice.
This would be the best course of action in this situation.
This would be a dream come true for many people.

Alternatives:

this could be
this might be
this may be
this is likely to be
this is expected to be

Answer 1

this can be

This phrase is correct and commonly used to express possibility or ability.

Answer 2

this would be

This phrase is correct and commonly used to express a hypothetical situation or a future possibility.

"this can be" vs "this would be"

this can be

this would be

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