could be allowed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be allowed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the possibility or permission of something happening or being permitted in a certain context. Example: "Under certain circumstances, this action could be allowed if it meets the necessary criteria."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

-- other researchers could be allowed access".

The New York Times - Books

Alternatively, the renminbi could be allowed to fluctuate more freely.

The Guardian - Business

Stationary, area, and mobile sources could be allowed to participate in a common emissions trading market.

Cornell University

When all loopholes were taken into account, emissions could be allowed to rise by 9%.

The Guardian

Federico Fazio and Andros Townsend could be allowed to be allowed to go.

The Guardian - Sport

And since Cuba was small and weak, politics could be allowed to determine policy.

The New York Times

For example, ordinary citizens could be allowed zero-interest-transactions balances (up to a limit).

The Guardian - Business

If only financial giants could be allowed to fail in a safe way.

The New York Times

"For political reasons, and only political reasons, they could be allowed," he answers.

The New York Times

Neither could be allowed to defeat Washington's efforts to forge a Western alliance.

The New York Times

I decided that if they could be allowed to have a wife, I should as well.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could be allowed", consider the level of formality required in your writing. "May be permitted" is more formal, while "can be allowed" is more informal.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions like "could be allowed" if an active voice alternative clarifies who is granting the permission. For instance, instead of "the students could be allowed to leave", consider "the teacher could allow the students to leave".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be allowed" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing possibility or permission. It indicates that an action or event is conditionally permissible. As Ludwig AI shows, it's frequently used in news and academic contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

14%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be allowed" is a versatile phrase expressing possibility or conditional permission, commonly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. While it maintains a generally neutral tone, its formality can shift based on the specific setting. When employing this phrase, writers should consider the level of formality required and avoid overuse of passive voice constructions. Related phrases like "may be permitted" and "might be authorized" offer alternatives with subtle differences in emphasis and formality. Therefore, understanding the nuances and proper context for "could be allowed" ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be permitted

Replaces "could" with "might" and "allowed" with "permitted", altering the level of certainty and formality slightly.

may be authorized

Substitutes "could" with "may" and "allowed" with "authorized", indicating a formal approval.

might be authorized

Combines "might" for possibility and "authorized" for formal approval, changing the emphasis.

can be permitted

Uses "can" instead of "could", suggesting a greater degree of possibility or capability.

may be tolerated

Replaces "allowed" with "tolerated", indicating acceptance rather than explicit permission.

might be tolerated

Combines possibility with tolerance, implying a cautious acceptance.

may be accommodated

Replaces "allowed" with "accommodated", suggesting adjustments to fit something in.

might be accommodated

Mixes "might" and "accommodated" for a more conditional adjustment.

can be accommodated

Uses "can" instead of "could", suggesting a greater degree of feasibility in accommodating something.

might be enabled

Replaces "allowed" with "enabled", implying the creation of conditions for something to happen.

FAQs

How can I use "could be allowed" in a sentence?

Use "could be allowed" to express a possibility or permission. For example, "Under certain circumstances, exceptions "could be allowed"".

What is a more formal alternative to "could be allowed"?

A more formal alternative is "may be permitted", which carries a similar meaning but implies a higher degree of formality and official authorization.

What's the difference between "could be allowed" and "can be allowed"?

"Could be allowed" suggests a possibility or conditional permission, while "can be allowed" implies a general possibility or ability. "Can be allowed" indicates that something is generally permissible, whereas "could be allowed" is more context-dependent.

What phrases are similar in meaning to "could be allowed"?

Synonymous phrases include "might be permitted", "may be authorized", and "might be authorized", each conveying slightly different nuances of possibility and permission.