could be completed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase “could be completed” is correct and usable in written English.
You could use the phrase when expressing the possibility that something could be finished. For example, “The project could be completed by the end of the week.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It could be completed by early March.

The New York Times

That could be completed in a day.

The New York Times

The case could be completed before Easter.

The Guardian - Business

A deal could be completed by next week.

The New York Times - Sports

The optimized detection protocol could be completed within 1 h.

Harmful Algae

The whole detection process could be completed within 70 min.

Talanta

If approved, the project could be completed in 10 years.

The New York Times

If approved, the project could be completed by late 2016.

The Guardian - Arts

The policy could be completed as early as this month.

The New York Times

DeBourbon said the investigation could be completed within a month.

The New York Times - Sports

Construction could be completed by the end of 2004.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could be completed" to express possibility rather than certainty. This phrase works well when discussing project timelines, agreements, or any task with a degree of uncertainty. For example: "The renovation project "could be completed" by next spring, depending on the weather."

Common error

Avoid using "could be completed" when you have a confirmed completion date. "Could be completed" implies uncertainty, whereas "will be completed" indicates a firm plan. Using the former in place of the latter can create ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be completed" functions as a passive construction using the modal verb 'could' to indicate possibility. It suggests that an action or process has the potential to reach completion, without certainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could be completed" is a versatile expression used to denote the possibility of something reaching its end or final stage. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, especially in news and scientific writing. The phrase expresses possibility rather than certainty. When writing, remember to differentiate "could be completed" from "will be completed" to accurately convey the level of confidence in the completion. Alternative phrases, like "might be finished" or "may be finalized", can be used to add nuance to your writing. Finally, considering these nuances, you can effectively use the expression in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be finished

Uses "might" instead of "could" and "finished" instead of "completed", indicating a slightly less definite possibility.

may be finalized

Substitutes "could" with "may" and "completed" with "finalized", suggesting a formal tone and a chance of concluding.

can be accomplished

Replaces "could" with "can" and "completed" with "accomplished", focusing on the ability to achieve something.

is able to be concluded

More formal and emphasizes the capability of reaching a conclusion.

is projected to finish

Indicates a forecast or estimation that something will be finished.

is anticipated to be done

Suggests an expectation or prediction that something will be finished.

is slated for completion

Implies that something is scheduled or planned to be completed.

is estimated to conclude

Uses "estimated" to show that it's a reasoned guess when something will conclude.

is due to be wrapped up

Uses a more informal term, "wrapped up", indicating the finishing of a task.

is on track to be fulfilled

Indicates that something is progressing as planned towards fulfillment.

FAQs

How do I use "could be completed" in a sentence?

Use "could be completed" to express a possibility or potential outcome. For example, "The new bridge "could be completed" by 2027 if there are no major delays."

What can I say instead of "could be completed"?

You can use alternatives like "might be finished", "may be finalized", or "can be accomplished" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "could be completed" or "will be completed"?

"Could be completed" indicates a possibility, while "will be completed" implies certainty. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the level of confidence in the completion.

What's the difference between "could be completed" and "should be completed"?

"Could be completed" suggests a possibility depending on various factors. "Should be completed" implies an expectation or obligation based on plans or schedules. The choice depends on whether you're stating a potential outcome or an anticipated one.