could be assumed

USAGE SUMMARY

"could be assumed" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
You can use it to introduce an assumption or guess about something. For example, "It could be assumed that the recent rise in prices is due to increased demand."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Due to air injection, perfect mixing could be assumed.

Chemical Engineering Science

However, the humin fraction ages could be assumed as the minimum ages for carbon in soils.

Nature

Eventually, companies that don't disclose information could be assumed to have something to hide.

The New York Times

Many of these services, however, could be assumed by either the state or local governments.

The New York Times

However, all these treatments could be assumed to have some placebo elements (French, 1994).

Physiotherapy

Learning that his father had been purged, and could be assumed to be dead, only confirmed this view.

The New Yorker

Mr. Bush chose people whose opinions were more or less known, or at least could be assumed.

The New York Times

It could be assumed that the plans had been presented to and approved by Barot's al-Qaida overlords in Pakistan.

The Guardian

Now the developing work could be assumed by engineers who've volunteered.

Forbes

Therefore, the objective was to verify if the hypothesis of unidimensionality could be assumed.

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

The low critical threshold could be assumed constant in time or a function of time.

European Transport Research Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could be assumed", ensure that the assumption is logical and based on some form of evidence or context. Clearly state the basis for the assumption to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid presenting a statement introduced by "could be assumed" as an absolute truth. Always acknowledge that it remains an assumption, not a confirmed fact, to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be assumed" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating a degree of possibility or likelihood. Ludwig AI's examples show it's used to introduce inferences or suppositions based on available information, suggesting that the statement is a reasonable, though not definitively proven, conclusion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be assumed" is a frequently used phrase to introduce a statement that is likely true based on the available information but lacks definitive proof. As Ludwig AI indicates, it functions as a modal verb phrase expressing possibility or likelihood. It's grammatically correct and appears most often in scientific and news contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, it's best practice to ensure your assumption is logical and based on evidence, while avoiding presenting it as an absolute fact. Alternatives include "might be inferred" or "may be presumed", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be inferred

Replaces "assumed" with "inferred", emphasizing a conclusion drawn from evidence.

may be presumed

Uses "presumed" instead of "assumed", suggesting a belief taken for granted.

can be speculated

Emphasizes the speculative nature of the assumption.

it is reasonable to suppose

More formal and explicitly states the reasonableness of the assumption.

it's plausible to consider

Highlights the plausibility of the consideration.

one might deduce

Focuses on the deductive aspect of the assumption.

it is inferable that

A more formal way of saying something can be inferred.

we can surmise that

Indicates a conclusion based on incomplete evidence.

it's conceivable that

Highlights the conceivability of the assumption, though it might not be likely.

it's imaginable that

Suggests the assumption is within the realm of possibility, though perhaps unlikely.

FAQs

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

Use "could be assumed" to introduce a statement that is likely true based on the available information, but not definitively proven. For example, "Based on the evidence, it "could be assumed" that the suspect was at the scene of the crime".

What are some alternatives to saying "could be assumed"?

You can use alternatives like "might be inferred", "may be presumed", or "can be speculated" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "could be assumed" or "can be assumed"?

"Could be assumed" suggests a weaker level of certainty compared to "can be assumed". Use "could" when there is some evidence but not conclusive proof, and "can" when the assumption is almost certain.

What does it mean when something "could be assumed"?

When something ""could be assumed"", it means that based on the available information or context, it is reasonable to believe that something is true, even if it has not been explicitly stated or proven.