could be committed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be committed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the possibility of an action or behavior being carried out, often in a legal or moral context. Example: "The crime could be committed if the necessary conditions are met."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

"They really didn't believe they could be committed".

The New York Times

Without the documentation, not only could no sin be proved, no sin could be committed.

The New Yorker

The offences could be committed in a public or a private place.

The Guardian

Reporters could be committed to civil jail if they don't pay.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It seems to me that there are potentially all sorts of offences which could be committed.

The Guardian

As a taxpayer, I find it quite shocking that so much money could be committed without any evidence.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

And borrowers who withhold such information could be committing income fraud, Mr. Auerbach said.

The New York Times

GCHQ personnel stumbling across images of child abuse could be committing a criminal offence.

The Economist

Anyone who sends offensive, abusive or threatening messages via social media could be committing a criminal offence.

The Guardian

In December, Theresa May warned that, unless there is a physical or mental health justification for the procedure, doctors who provide the service could be committing a criminal offence.

Independent

Crime manager at Lake Illawarra local area command, Detective Inspector Glen Broadhead, issued a warning that anyone found at the clubhouse could be committing an offence.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential offenses or wrongdoings, use "could be committed" to indicate possibility rather than certainty. This maintains a neutral tone and avoids premature judgment.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions like "could be committed" as it can sometimes obscure the actor or agent responsible for the action. Consider rephrasing to make the sentence more direct and active when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be committed" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating possibility or potential. It typically appears in contexts discussing actions, often with negative connotations like crimes or offenses, where there's a consideration of whether the action might occur or is possible. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

22%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could be committed" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate the possibility of an action occurring, particularly in contexts involving potential crimes or offenses. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to express a hypothetical or conditional possibility, often found in neutral to professional registers, especially within news and media, science, and wiki sources. When using this phrase, consider the tone and context to ensure it appropriately conveys the intended level of uncertainty or possibility, and always try to maintain the correct usage in similar sentences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be perpetrated

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

may be carried out

Substitutes "could" with "may", suggesting possibility, and "committed" with "carried out", a more neutral term.

can be perpetrated

Uses "can" to indicate ability or possibility, similar to "could".

might be executed

Replaces "committed" with "executed", implying a more formal or planned action.

can be enacted

Uses "enacted" instead of "committed", often used in the context of laws or policies.

potentially be perpetrated

Adds emphasis on the potential aspect of the action.

has the potential to be committed

Rephrases to highlight the inherent potential for an action to occur.

is liable to be committed

Indicates a tendency or likelihood for the action to happen.

conceivably be carried out

Introduces a sense of conceivability or possibility.

is able to be perpetrated

Emphasizes the ability or capacity for an action to be carried out.

FAQs

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

The phrase "could be committed" is used to express the possibility that an action, especially a crime or offense, might occur. For example, "A crime "could be committed" even if the abettor did not take any tangible action."

What are some alternatives to "could be committed"?

Alternatives include "might be perpetrated", "may be carried out", or "can be perpetrated", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "could be committed" or "could commit"?

"Could be committed" is passive, indicating the action is done to something. "Could commit" is active, indicating someone is doing the action. The correct choice depends on the sentence's intended meaning. For example, "He could commit a crime" versus "A crime "could be committed" in the area."

What's the difference between "could be committed" and "can be committed"?

"Could be committed" suggests a possibility based on certain conditions, whereas "can be committed" implies a general ability or permission. "Could" often implies a hypothetical situation, while "can" indicates a potential that exists.