could be broadened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be broadened" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the potential for expansion or enhancement of an idea, concept, or scope. Example: "The discussion on climate change could be broadened to include more perspectives from developing countries."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

A number of legislators said Tuesday that Mr. Putin's measure could be broadened.

The New York Times

This approach could be broadened to other markets that have shut down.

The Economist

Mr Shabazz said the suit could be broadened to include additional claimants.

Independent

"The scope could be broadened to include all construction, funded by permit fees," Mr. Spinola suggested yesterday.

The New York Times

Wyoming has long agitated to have the wolves delisted so that hunting could be broadened under state regulations.

The New York Times

This paper investigates the extent to which the application range of shielded TBMs could be broadened in squeezing conditions by using linings of higher bearing capacity.

Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

We tentatively suggest that the model, which currently includes appraisal, illness, behavioural and scheduling delay intervals, could be expanded to include the stage prior to the appearance of symptoms, and could also be broadened to include the significant role of others.

BMC Family Practice

The inquiry that the agency opened in June is focused on entertainment shows rather than news, but could easily be broadened.

The New York Times

There is no reason why the tax concept could not be broadened, for instance to include dividend payouts or other nonlabor costs.

The New York Times

Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon said ground operations in Gaza could soon be broadened "significantly".

BBC

The activities could subsequently be broadened to include the Asia-Pacific and African mahogany species.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could be broadened" when suggesting a potential expansion or extension of a plan, idea, or concept. It implies a possibility rather than a certainty, allowing for flexibility in discussion and decision-making.

Common error

While versatile, avoid overusing "could be broadened" in highly formal or academic writing. Consider stronger, more precise verbs like "should be expanded" or "must be enhanced" when conveying a firm recommendation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be broadened" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing possibility in the passive voice. It indicates that a subject has the potential to be expanded or made more inclusive. As Ludwig AI says, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could be broadened" is a versatile and commonly used expression that suggests the potential for expansion or extension. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for use in various contexts. With a neutral register, it's suitable for both formal and informal writing, although stronger verbs may be preferred in more formal situations. It appears frequently in science, news, and business contexts, offering flexibility in discussions and decision-making. Alternatives like "might be expanded", "can be widened", and "could be extended" provide nuanced options for expressing similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be expanded

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

can be widened

Substitutes "broadened" with "widened", focusing on increasing scope.

could be extended

Employs "extended" instead of "broadened", implying an increase in length or duration.

may be enlarged

Replaces "could" with "may" and "broadened" with "enlarged", indicating possibility and increase in size.

might be deepened

Uses "deepened" to suggest intensifying or enriching something rather than just expanding its scope.

can be augmented

Replaces "broadened" with "augmented", implying addition or enhancement to improve quality.

could be enhanced

Substitutes "broadened" with "enhanced", suggesting an improvement in quality or desirability.

is subject to expansion

Changes the structure to emphasize the possibility of expansion as a characteristic.

is open to broadening

Implies a willingness or possibility for expansion or widening.

allows for a wider scope

Shifts the focus to the result of broadening, which is a wider scope.

FAQs

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

You can use "could be broadened" to suggest the possibility of expanding something. For example, "The scope of the investigation "could be broadened" to include additional claimants."

What is a synonym for "could be broadened"?

Alternatives for "could be broadened" include phrases like "might be expanded", "can be widened", or "could be extended", depending on the context.

Is "could be broadened" formal or informal?

"Could be broadened" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal situations may benefit from stronger verbs like "should be expanded".

What does "could be broadened" mean?

"Could be broadened" indicates that something has the potential to be expanded or made more inclusive. It suggests a possibility for growth or extension.