could be attained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be attained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express potential or possibility; for example, "The goal of a better life could be attained with hard work and dedication."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As a result of such training, he maintained, not only euphonious speech but also physical well-being, emotional balance and longevity could be attained.

The New York Times - Arts

Significantly higher temperatures could be attained with such a design.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And crystal meth exactly fitted the new economy, where everything could be attained through shortcuts.

The Guardian

"Instead of conducting negotiations with moderate forces, with whom a settlement could be attained … [the government] undermines Abu Mazen's legitimacy".

The Guardian

He said the much-discussed goal of the $1,000 genome could be attained in two or three years.

The New York Times - Science

They believed that happiness could be attained only through academic achievement; that anti-Semitism was more muted than before, but still ubiquitous.

The New Yorker

The new model professor wore himself out: greatness of mind and depth of learning, like beauty, could be attained only through suffering.

The New Yorker

The bow was almost certainly the earliest mechanical device to achieve greater speed in a projectile than could be attained by throwing it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He defined genius in terms of accessibility to this normally untapped realm, which, he believed, could be attained by poets and painters alike.

Encyclopedia Britannica

With such a compensated action during cold isostatic pressing, uniform sintered structures could be attained.

Journal of Materials Processing Technology

Under these conditions, retention activity of 87.6% could be attained for the immobilized cell.

Bioresource Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could be attained" when discussing goals or outcomes that are potentially achievable with effort or specific conditions. For instance, "Sustainable development could be attained through collaborative global efforts."

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions like "could be attained" if it obscures the agent performing the action. Whenever possible, rephrase to use an active voice for clarity and directness; for example, instead of "Results could be attained by the team", consider "The team could attain results".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be attained" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating possibility or potential. It's typically used to express that a certain outcome or state is achievable under specific conditions. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

27%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be attained" is a versatile phrase indicating potential or possibility, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, from scientific research to news reporting. While alternatives like "could be achieved" or "could be obtained" exist, "could be attained" specifically emphasizes the achievement of a goal or state. Remember to avoid overusing the passive voice for clarity. Its frequent appearance in authoritative sources highlights its reliability for expressing potential outcomes across various writing styles. The phrase's primary function is to express potential achievements, and it maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. As Ludwig's examples show, the phrase is a solid component of the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be achieved

Changes the verb 'attained' to 'achieved', offering a slightly more general alternative.

could be obtained

Swaps 'attained' for 'obtained', indicating the process of gaining or receiving something.

could be reached

Replaces 'attained' with 'reached', implying a destination or goal that can be accomplished.

could be realized

Substitutes 'attained' with 'realized', focusing on the actualization of a potential.

could be accomplished

Uses 'accomplished' instead of 'attained', highlighting the successful completion of something.

could be secured

Replaces 'attained' with 'secured', suggesting the acquisition or safeguarding of something.

can be accomplished

Uses 'can be' instead of 'could be', suggesting a higher degree of certainty or possibility.

is potentially achievable

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the potential for something to be achieved.

is within reach

Offers a more idiomatic expression to convey that something is possible to achieve.

is feasible

Replaces the entire phrase with a single adjective, simplifying the expression to indicate possibility.

FAQs

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

The phrase "could be attained" suggests possibility or potential achievement. For example, "With dedication, a high level of proficiency "could be attained"." or "The benefits of this program "could be attained" by following these steps."

What are some alternatives to "could be attained"?

You can use alternatives like "could be achieved", "could be reached", or "could be realized" depending on the context.

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

"Could be attained" implies a conditional or potential possibility, whereas "can be attained" suggests a more definite possibility or ability. The choice depends on the degree of certainty you want to convey.

What's the difference between "could be attained" and "could be obtained"?

"Could be attained" suggests achieving a goal or reaching a certain state. "Could be obtained", on the other hand, implies acquiring something tangible or intangible. While they are similar, the subtle difference lies in the nature of what is being 'attained' versus 'obtained'.