could be circulated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be circulated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the potential distribution or sharing of information, documents, or materials. Example: "The report is ready and could be circulated among the team for feedback."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Not all fluids could be circulated through the inversion point due to prohibitive large pressure drops.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

But what if water or other liquid could be circulated on the silicon itself?

The New York Times - Science

"He was translating Al Qaeda military manuals from Arabic to English so they could be circulated," the official said.

The New Yorker

Venclova himself is one of the five founding members of the Lithuanian Helsinki group, whose poetry in the disfavored Lithuanian language could be circulated only in samizdat.

Stanford University

Photography gained added interest as a means of recording an artist's performance of an idea and as a historical document of the performance that could be circulated.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Unusually for a theatre, a request was made for phones to be turned on, so the message could be circulated more widely.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Leendertz, with three more German veterinarians and eight Guinean biosurvey experts from the nonprofit Wild Chimpanzee Foundation, will capture and test bats for Ebola while at the same time looking for recent dips in the populations of chimpanzees, monkeys, forest antelopes, or other animals a sign that the disease could be circulating in those species.

Science Magazine

These biomarkers could be circulating humoral factors or specific cellular subtypes, or preclinical markers of organ damage.

BioMed Research International

It is believed that the virus could be circulating in the herd, which was probably infected in Saudi Arabia several years ago when the dams were calves.

Emerging Microbes and Infections

Instead of CTCs these cells could be circulating epithelial cells, which had recently been described in patients with benign colon diseases [ 50].

Genome Medicine

However, given that most countries in Europe do not perform specific surveillance for HFMD and most enterovirus infections are asymptomatic, this particular subgenotype could be circulating more widely without detection.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could be circulated" when you want to express the possibility or potential for information, documents, or items to be distributed among a group or wider audience. It suggests a conditional or hypothetical scenario rather than a definite action.

Common error

While "could be circulated" is generally acceptable, it can sometimes sound passive or less direct in very formal writing. In such cases, consider using stronger verbs like "should be distributed" or "must be disseminated" to convey a greater sense of obligation or necessity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be circulated" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating the potential or possibility of something being distributed. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for conveying hypothetical scenarios, as showcased in several examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

44%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be circulated" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to express the possibility of distributing information or items. As Ludwig AI states, it's appropriate for various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and academic writing. While it conveys a sense of potential, it's essential to consider the formality of the situation and choose alternative phrases like ""might be distributed"" or ""can be disseminated"" if a more definitive or formal tone is needed. The phrase is common, appearing in numerous authoritative sources, making it a reliable choice for expressing potential circulation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be distributed

Changes the modal verb from "could" to "might", suggesting a slightly lower probability.

can be disseminated

Replaces "circulated" with "disseminated", implying a wider or more formal distribution.

may be shared

Substitutes "circulated" with "shared", indicating a simpler, less formal distribution.

is able to be spread

Uses a more verbose construction with "able to be spread", emphasizing the capability of dissemination.

is capable of being spread

Highlights the capability of being spread, similar to 'is able to be spread' but with a slight variation in wording.

has the potential to be distributed

Emphasizes the potential for distribution, adding a layer of possibility.

can be passed around

Replaces "circulated" with the informal term "passed around", suggesting a casual distribution.

might be propagated

Replaces "circulated" with "propagated", implying a deliberate and widespread dissemination, often in a technical or biological context.

is permitted for distribution

Focuses on the permission aspect of distribution, implying authorization.

can reach a wider audience

Shifts the focus to the outcome of circulation—reaching more people.

FAQs

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

Use "could be circulated" to indicate that something has the potential to be distributed or shared. For example, "The memo could be circulated among the staff" suggests the memo is able to be shared, but it's not a definite action.

What are some alternatives to "could be circulated"?

Alternatives include "might be distributed", "can be disseminated", or "may be shared", depending on the context and formality you want to convey.

Is "could be circulated" formal or informal?

"Could be circulated" has a neutral to slightly formal tone. It is suitable for professional and academic contexts, but might be too formal for casual conversation. In informal settings, consider using phrases like "can be passed around".

When should I use "could be circulated" instead of "will be circulated"?

Use "could be circulated" when indicating a possibility or potential, while "will be circulated" expresses a definite plan or intention. For example, "The draft report could be circulated for review" suggests a possibility, whereas "The final report will be circulated next week" indicates a confirmed action.