could be asserted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be asserted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a claim or statement that may be put forward as true or valid, often in a formal or academic context. Example: "In light of the evidence presented, it could be asserted that climate change is significantly influenced by human activity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

An interaction between membrane quality and the compression parameters could be asserted.

Metal Powder Report

And neither right would mean much without publicly subsidised courts where they could be asserted, both against others and the government.

The Economist

That also means any defenses that could be asserted against Mr. Madoff also apply, so his wrongdoing is attributed to Mr. Picard for the purpose of deciding any claim.

The New York Times

The right of polar bears to exist as part of an intact Arctic community could be asserted in court to obtain injunctions against a range of activities that could infringe that right.

The Guardian

29 That condition was the construction of an adequate storage reservoir against such those claims could be asserted; the Compact has nothing to do with whether rights perfected under state law since 1929 may be ignored by the Secretary in awarding contracts.

Cornell University

In the early part of the 20th century, it could be asserted that there was no public law in England in the sense of a set of rules regulating the administration of public affairs, which differed from those operating in the private sphere.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

If so, however, under the premises of my Brother HARLAN's opinion, the appropriate response on our part would be not to hold that the privilege against self-incrimination could not be asserted, but at most to diminish the scope of the use restriction to that considered by the legislature to be consistent with the state interests asserted.

Cornell University

The Supreme Court upheld that decision, rejecting IDT counsel's contentions during oral argument that the claims against HJ, to the extent valid at all, were derivative and therefore belonged to Straight Path and could not be asserted directly by the minority investors.

Harvard University

Depending on the applicable law, the Taney Court held that aboriginal title could sometimes be asserted as a defense in trespass, ejectment, and writ of right actions, even by those with no claim to title themselves.

Wikipedia

Consistent evidence for the often cited bilateral relationship could hardly be asserted.

BMC Cancer

But it had been found that those unlimited powers were often abused and that Senate control could not easily be asserted at increasing distances from Rome.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could be asserted" when presenting a proposition or claim that lacks definitive proof but has a reasonable basis. This phrasing is particularly useful in academic, legal, or analytical contexts where nuanced arguments are essential.

Common error

Avoid using "could be asserted" when the evidence strongly supports a definitive conclusion. Instead, opt for stronger verbs that convey certainty, such as "is" or "has proven."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be asserted" functions as a modal verb phrase used to introduce a statement or claim that is presented as a possibility or a reasonable inference, rather than an established fact. It introduces a degree of uncertainty or tentativeness. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be asserted" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a claim or proposition with a degree of uncertainty. As Ludwig AI highlights, its usage is appropriate in formal contexts, such as academic, scientific, and news media, where it serves to present an argument or possibility without asserting it as definitive fact. While alternatives like "may be claimed" and "can be stated" exist, "could be asserted" provides a nuanced way to present tentative conclusions, avoiding the overstatement of certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may be claimed

Indicates a possibility or suggestion that something is true, though perhaps without definitive proof.

can be stated

Suggests a formal declaration or affirmation of something.

might be argued

Implies a contention or point that could be presented in a debate or discussion.

possibly be maintained

Indicates a position or claim that one could conceivably uphold or defend.

potentially be alleged

Suggests that something could be put forward as a fact, often in a legal or accusatory context.

conceivably be posited

Indicates that something could theoretically be presented as an idea or concept.

feasibly be contended

Suggests that something could reasonably be argued or asserted.

imaginably be proposed

Indicates that something could be suggested or put forward as a plan or idea, even if unlikely.

hypothetically be suggested

Implies that something could be presented as a theoretical or conditional possibility.

ostensibly be declared

Suggests that something could be stated or announced, often with a hint of doubt or skepticism.

FAQs

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

The phrase "could be asserted" is used to introduce a claim or possibility that is plausible but not definitively proven. For example, "It "could be asserted" that the increase in global temperatures is due to industrial emissions".

What are some alternatives to "could be asserted"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "may be claimed", "can be stated", or "might be argued" to express a similar meaning with slightly different nuances.

Is "could be asserted" formal or informal?

"Could be asserted" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for academic writing, legal documents, and analytical reports. In more casual contexts, simpler alternatives may be preferred.

What is the difference between "could be asserted" and "is asserted"?

"Could be asserted" suggests a possibility or a claim that is not yet fully substantiated, whereas "is asserted" indicates that a claim is being made directly and confidently, even if evidence is not fully presented.