could be asked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be asked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing potential questions or inquiries that may be directed towards someone or something. Example: "During the interview, several questions could be asked to assess the candidate's qualifications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You could be asked to dance mortifying!

The New Yorker

What more could be asked of "The Moose"?

The New York Times

All could be asked: Why would you want this job?

The New York Times

That restricted the questions that could be asked of Adelson.

The Guardian

The same question could be asked of the entire book.

The New York Times - Books

What more could be asked of a professional athlete?

The Guardian - Sport

The same question could be asked the other way.

The Washington Post

But other hypotheticals could be asked as well.

The New Yorker

These questions could be asked of both Tamiflu and Relenza.

The New York Times

Before another question could be asked, Posada revisited the topic.

The New York Times - Sports

One of Ortiz's teammates could be asked to compete.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could be asked", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is being asked. This enhances clarity and prevents ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive constructions like "could be asked" as it can make your writing sound less direct and engaging. When appropriate, rephrase using an active voice to improve clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be asked" functions as a modal passive construction. It indicates a possibility or potential for someone to receive a question or request. As Ludwig AI indicates, this usage is grammatically correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could be asked" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate the possibility of someone receiving a question or request. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and appropriate across various contexts. While it's essential to ensure clarity regarding who is being asked, it's also wise to avoid overusing passive voice constructions. Alternatives such as "might be asked" or "may be asked" can be used to subtly alter the nuance. Considering its common usage across diverse sources like The New York Times, BBC and academic journals, "could be asked" is a versatile and reliable phrase in both written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be asked

Replaces "could" with "might", suggesting a slightly lower probability or possibility.

may be asked

Substitutes "could" with "may", indicating possibility or permission.

can be asked

Replaces "could" with "can", implying ability or general possibility.

might be inquired

Replaces "asked" with "inquired", making the phrase more formal.

could be questioned

Substitutes "asked" with "questioned", suggesting a more scrutinizing inquiry.

may be questioned

Similar to "could be questioned" but uses "may" for possibility.

it is possible to ask

Restructures the phrase to emphasize possibility rather than direct inquiry.

one might inquire

Offers a more impersonal and formal way to suggest a question.

a question that can be posed

Focuses on the question itself and its feasibility.

a query that may arise

Highlights the potential for a query or question to come up.

FAQs

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

Use "could be asked" to indicate a possibility of someone being questioned or requested to do something. For example, "During the interview, candidates "could be asked" about their previous work experience."

What are some alternatives to "could be asked"?

Alternatives include "might be asked", "may be asked", or "can be asked", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "could be asked"?

While "could be asked" is grammatically correct, consider using the active voice when possible for more direct and engaging writing. For example, instead of "The witness "could be asked" questions", you might say "The lawyer could ask the witness questions".

What is the difference between "could be asked" and "should be asked"?

"Could be asked" indicates a possibility, while "should be asked" implies a recommendation or obligation. For example, "The witness "could be asked" about the incident" suggests it's possible, whereas "The witness should be asked about the incident" suggests it's important to do so.