could be depriving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be depriving" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the potential negative impact of an action or situation that may prevent someone from having something they need or want. Example: "If we don't address the issue, we could be depriving the community of essential resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Breakthrough ideas often come from startups rather than from large firms, so this could be depriving us of important innovations.

MIT Technology Review

Five of the biggest US technology firms – Facebook, Google, Apple, Microsoft and Cisco – could be depriving the Treasury of more than £1bn a year, according to the Tax Watch thinktank.

The Guardian

This policy could be depriving Sifted of revenue from startups that aren't quite ready to foot the entire bill, but would be open to subsidizing their employees' lunches.

Forbes

Continuous digital input stimulation could be depriving the brain of precious downtime in which memories of experiences can be more permanently stored, according to a New York Times article that reported on a new University of California, San Francisco, study.

Forbes

Certainly Horde isn't capable of real-time document editing like Google Docs, or smart rescheduling like Google Calendar--and by succumbing to panic due to (let's be honest) irrelevant controversies, Yale could be depriving themselves of some great software.

Huffington Post

"FEMA's apparent decision to change the eligibility standard, without any basis in law to do so, could be depriving thousands of the assistance they need to keep their homes, pay their bills and feed their families," Mr. Corzine said in a letter to Mr. Allbaugh on Tuesday.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

According to the report, this means that the UK could be deprived of 42,000 successful female entrepreneurs by 2050.

The Guardian

All of these riders could be deprived of a safe alternative to driving on our state's congested roads.

The New York Times

But there was a time when American-born and naturalized foreign-born individuals in the United States could be deprived of their citizenship and its associated rights.

University of Pennsylvania

But a friend, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Mr. Guriev left Russia abruptly because "had reason to believe he could be deprived of his freedom".

The New York Times

In particular, bright doctoral students from low or average income homes could be deprived of the chance to further their research, he warned.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could be depriving", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being lost or withheld and the potential consequences of that deprivation.

Common error

Avoid using "could be depriving" when the deprivation is a confirmed fact. This phrase indicates a possibility, so ensure your language reflects that uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be depriving" functions as a verb phrase expressing a potential or conditional action. It combines the modal verb 'could' with the continuous form of the verb 'deprive', indicating a possibility rather than a certainty. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be depriving" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a potential or conditional action of depriving someone or something of a particular benefit or resource. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid and can be used in written English. It's most commonly found in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts, maintaining a generally neutral tone. When using this phrase, be sure to indicate what exactly is being lost or withheld. Consider alternatives like "might be denying" or "may be withholding" for subtle differences in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be denying

Replaces "could be depriving" with "might be denying", suggesting a possibility of withholding something.

may be withholding

Substitutes "could be depriving" with "may be withholding", indicating a potential act of holding something back.

might be preventing access to

Replaces the verb with a phrase focusing on preventing access, changing the sentence structure slightly.

could be limiting

Uses "could be limiting" instead of "could be depriving", suggesting a restriction rather than a complete removal.

may be restricting

Replaces the verb with a phrase focusing on restricting, changing the sentence structure slightly.

might inadvertently deny

Adds "inadvertently" to suggest an unintentional act of denial, modifying the nuance.

may unintentionally withhold

Adds "unintentionally" to suggest an unintentional act of withholding, modifying the nuance.

risks impoverishing

Substitutes "could be depriving" with "risks impoverishing", emphasizing the potential for making someone poor or lacking.

potentially forgoing

Replaces "could be depriving" with "potentially forgoing", suggesting a voluntary but possible loss.

runs the risk of losing

Changes the structure to emphasize the risk of losing something, rather than the act of depriving.

FAQs

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

Use "could be depriving" to express the possibility that an action or situation might be causing someone to lose something important. For example, "This policy "could be depriving" Sifted of revenue from startups".

What are some alternatives to "could be depriving"?

You can use alternatives like "might be denying", "may be withholding", or "could be limiting" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "could be depriving" or "could deprive"?

"Could be depriving" suggests an ongoing or potential action, while "could deprive" indicates a potential one-time event. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. For example, "Continuous digital input stimulation "could be depriving" the brain of precious downtime" implies an ongoing process.

What is the difference between "could be depriving" and "is depriving"?

"Could be depriving" indicates a possibility or potential action, while "is depriving" states a current and definite action. "Could be depriving" suggests less certainty. The sentence "Five of the biggest US technology firms "could be depriving" the Treasury of more than £1bn a year" indicates a possibility.