could be cited

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be cited" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing sources or references that may be referenced in a text or argument. Example: "The research findings from the study could be cited to support the argument presented in the paper."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Several examples could be cited.

Independent

Plenty of other examples could be cited.

The Guardian - Books

Plenty of other examples of inertia could be cited.

The New York Times

"The Ritz" could be cited as Exhibit A. The play opens at a family deathbed vigil.

The New Yorker

If I report this incident to the accrediting organization, the school could be cited.

The New York Times - Magazine

Many other examples could be cited of misjudged priorities and wasteful expenditure.

The Guardian

These are but a handful of examples – dozens more could be cited.

The Guardian

In both cases, and many others that could be cited, the laws hadn't changed; society did.

The New York Times

And these are but a few of many illustrations that could be cited.

The New Yorker

There are other signs of cooling underway that could be cited, but you get the point.

The Washington Post

L. 110 315 [see Tables for classification] could be cited as the "Navajo Nation Higher Education Act of 2008".

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could be cited", ensure that the cited material is relevant and accurately represents the information it supports. Provide full citations to allow readers to verify the source.

Common error

Avoid exclusively citing secondary sources when primary sources are available. While secondary sources can be useful, relying too heavily on them can dilute the strength and credibility of your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be cited" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating possibility or potential. It suggests that a particular source, fact, or piece of information has the capacity to be referenced or quoted in support of an argument or statement, as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

28%

Science

28%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could be cited" is a versatile expression denoting the potential for reference or quotation. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently used across various domains. Predominantly found in News & Media, Academia, and Science, it serves to suggest supporting evidence or justifications for claims. When employing this phrase, ensuring the relevance and accuracy of cited material is crucial. While "could be cited" implies possibility, other related phrases like "may be referenced" or "should be cited" offer nuanced alternatives, as appropriate to the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be referenced

Suggests a possibility of being mentioned or alluded to, similar to "could be cited" but with a slightly weaker emphasis.

may be referenced

Indicates a potential for being mentioned or used as a source, similar to "could be cited" but with a more formal tone.

can be referenced

Highlights the ability to use something as a reference, akin to "could be cited" but emphasizing capability.

may be mentioned

Indicates the possibility of something being brought up or spoken about; related to "could be cited" when referring to sources.

might be mentioned

Similar to "may be mentioned", but conveys a slightly lower degree of certainty or likelihood.

can be used as evidence

Highlights the utility of something as proof or support, connecting to "could be cited" when presenting arguments.

may serve as an example

Suggests that something can function as a representative instance, similar to "could be cited" for illustrative purposes.

might illustrate

Implies a capacity to clarify or demonstrate, akin to "could be cited" when providing examples.

can demonstrate

Highlights the potential for something to prove or show, connecting to "could be cited" when supporting claims.

could exemplify

Indicates the potential to serve as a typical example of something. Slightly less common than the other options.

FAQs

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

You can use "could be cited" to indicate that a particular source, example, or piece of evidence can be used to support a claim or argument. For example, "The findings of this study "could be cited" to support the hypothesis."

What are some alternatives to "could be cited"?

Alternatives to "could be cited" include phrases like "may be referenced", "might be mentioned", or "can be used as evidence", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "could be cited"?

It's appropriate to use "could be cited" when you want to indicate that something has the potential to be used as a reference or source of information, often in academic or professional writing.

Is there a difference between "could be cited" and "should be cited"?

Yes, "could be cited" indicates a possibility or potential for citation, while "should be cited" implies a recommendation or necessity to cite something. "Should be cited" suggests that the material is particularly relevant or important to acknowledge.