could be believed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be believed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility or likelihood of something being accepted as true or credible. Example: "The story he told was so fantastical that it could be believed only by the most gullible of listeners."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

With twofold vision it's possible to see how contrary things could be believed.

The Guardian - Books

There was no single account that could be believed, in other words, no smooth and consistent arc for a memoir or a novel.

The New Yorker

Even if my taste buds could be believed, there is still the more pragmatic concern of just how many wineglasses one can afford, much less find room for.

The New York Times

Valerie knew that "Curveball" had been deemed a "fabricator" by the agency, meaning that none of his intelligence could be believed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Just as his "journalism" was beyond fact-checking, so he joined the select American company of mythic entities about whom anything could be believed.

The Guardian - Film

When asked at a summit meeting later that year whether Mr. Berlusconi's pledges could be believed, Ms. Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy, who then was the French president, smirked, highlighting that by then not even his fellow leaders took him seriously.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

But could they be believed?

The Guardian - Opinion

But of course that sort of story couldn't be believed by realists.

The New Yorker

How, they asked jurors, could such witnesses be believed?

Los Angeles Times

"He understood what it could be, and believed in its potential to bring communities together".

The New York Times - Arts

It was believed he could perform miracles.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could be believed", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the believing. This clarifies the perspective and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "could be believed" when a stronger assertion of truth is warranted. If evidence supports a definitive conclusion, opt for more direct language rather than hedging with this phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be believed" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating the potential or possibility of something being accepted as true or credible. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could be believed" expresses the potential for something to be accepted as true, often implying a degree of uncertainty or conditionality. Ludwig AI confirms that its grammatical status is correct and is frequently used in various contexts, including news, science, and formal writing. When using the phrase, consider who is doing the believing and avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives like "might be credible" or "could be considered plausible" can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be considered plausible

Replaces "believed" with "considered plausible", focusing on the aspect of plausibility.

might be credible

Replaces "could" with "might" and "believed" with "credible", altering the modal verb and adjective.

is possibly believable

Inserts "possibly" to reinforce uncertainty and uses the adjective form of "believe".

is potentially credible

Uses "potentially" and "credible" to shift the focus to inherent credibility.

can be accepted as true

Emphasizes the acceptance of truth rather than the possibility of belief.

might hold water

Uses an idiomatic expression to suggest plausibility or credibility.

is worthy of belief

Transforms the verb phrase into a descriptive adjective phrase.

is within the realm of possibility

Shifts the emphasis to the possibility of something being true.

is not beyond belief

Expresses the idea by negating the opposite, implying that it is believable to some extent.

is not implausible

Similar to 'is not beyond belief', suggesting that it's reasonable.

FAQs

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

Use "could be believed" to express the possibility of something being accepted as true or credible. For example, "The witness's testimony was so inconsistent that nothing he said "could be believed"".

What are some alternatives to "could be believed"?

Alternatives include "might be credible", "can be accepted as true", or "could be considered plausible", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "could be believed" or "should be believed"?

"Could be believed" indicates possibility, while "should be believed" implies a moral or logical imperative. Choose the phrase that aligns with the intended meaning: possibility vs. obligation.

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

It means there's a chance that someone might accept it as true, but it's not necessarily a statement of fact. It often depends on context, evidence, and the believer's perspective.