could be deemed

USAGE SUMMARY

"could be deemed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate speculation or an opinion of something. For example: The decaying state of the building could be deemed unsafe.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It could be deemed racist".

The Guardian - Film

Such conversations could be deemed subversive in the government's eyes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some developers could be deemed to be overnight sensations.

Independent

Now, whilst this could be deemed sacrilegious, can role-modelling make the situation worse?

The Guardian

However, we believe this could be deemed an unfair trading practice".

The Guardian

It is unclear what offences Vaz could be deemed to have committed.

The Guardian

Fewer than 900 primaries could be deemed to be under-performing under the new stricter target.

The Guardian

The pair could be deemed to have made a material difference in previous group matches.

The Guardian - Sport

When the wealthy stole, they could be deemed mad — actually, a little neurotic — rather than bad.

The New Yorker

"I don't see any way the Interior Department could be deemed in compliance with the law.

The New York Times - Science

But some authorities think baselines, once established, could be deemed permanent.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could be deemed" when you want to express a possibility or a qualified opinion about something, without stating it as a definitive fact. This softens the statement and implies there might be different viewpoints.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions like "could be deemed", as it can make your writing sound vague or evasive. Sometimes, a more direct and active construction can be clearer and more impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be deemed" functions as a modal verb phrase, used to express a possibility or a qualified judgment. It indicates that something has the potential to be considered or judged in a certain way, but it doesn't assert it as a definitive fact. Ludwig AI's analysis shows that the phrase is widely used to express possibility or an opinion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

32%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be deemed" is a versatile phrase that functions as a modal verb phrase used to express possibility or qualified judgment. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English, especially in News & Media and Science contexts. The phrase serves to soften statements, introduce uncertainty, and acknowledge diverse perspectives. When using this phrase, consider alternative options like "might be considered" or "could be seen as", and avoid overusing passive voice. Always remember that "could be deemed" serves to qualify and express a possibility, rather than stating a definitive fact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be considered

Replaces "deemed" with "considered", softening the sense of formal judgment.

may be regarded as

Uses "regarded as" instead of "deemed", suggesting a more general perception.

might be judged as

Substitutes "deemed" with "judged as", emphasizing the act of evaluation.

could be seen as

Replaces "deemed" with "seen as", indicating a perspective or viewpoint.

might be interpreted as

Uses "interpreted as" instead of "deemed", highlighting the potential for different understandings.

may be viewed as

Similar to "seen as", but with a slightly more formal tone.

could potentially be considered

Adds "potentially" for emphasis and softens the judgment further.

might conceivably be regarded as

Introduces "conceivably" to indicate a less likely possibility.

may plausibly be seen as

Uses "plausibly" to suggest a reasonable but not certain viewpoint.

could reasonably be interpreted as

Adds "reasonably" to indicate a logical basis for the interpretation.

FAQs

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

The phrase "could be deemed" is used to express a qualified opinion or possibility. For example, "His actions "could be deemed inappropriate"" suggests that there's a possibility of his actions being seen as wrong.

What are some alternatives to "could be deemed"?

Alternatives include "might be considered", "may be regarded as", or "could be seen as". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "could be deemed" or "is deemed"?

"Could be deemed" indicates a possibility or opinion, while "is deemed" states something as a fact or established judgment. Use "could be deemed" when you want to express uncertainty or qualification.

What's the difference between "could be deemed" and "might be deemed"?

The difference is subtle, but "could" suggests a slightly higher probability than "might". Both express possibility, but "could" implies a greater chance of the action or assessment being valid. For example, "might be deemed" is a weaker condition.