could be discovered

USAGE SUMMARY

"could be discovered" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about something that might be revealed or discovered in the future. For example, "The cause of her illness could be discovered with further testing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It would be fantastic if anything could be discovered".

The Guardian

Finally, the potent platelet aggregation inhibitor FK419 (3) could be discovered.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry

Scientific changes have altered the way in which drugs could be discovered in the future.

Trends in Parasitology

could be discovered once excavation began, either deeper in the sand or washed farther downstream.

University of California, Berkeley

Thus, novel substrates could be discovered via the identification of KMT interacting proteins.

Stanford University

Mrs. Dogaru's confession could be pure invention, and the works could be discovered hidden away somewhere.

The New York Times

Afterward, Gallaudet officials barred Mr. Minch from the campus until Mr. Plunkett's killer could be discovered.

The New York Times

The third, if they could be discovered, might simply minimize the costs.

The New York Times

Some potential donors would not give if they knew their identities could be discovered and disclosed.

The New York Times

Both then and in 1954, no trace of infectious disease could be discovered in examination of the dead birds.

The New Yorker

The blog's student founders were persuaded to add a note of caution, warning participants that their identities could be discovered.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could be discovered" to express the possibility of finding or revealing something in the future, especially when the discovery is not guaranteed but plausible.

Common error

Avoid using "could be discovered" when certainty is implied. If the discovery is definite, use "will be discovered" or a similar phrase to reflect that certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be discovered" functions as a passive modal construction. It indicates a potential action (discovery) that might happen to a subject. Ludwig provides several examples illustrating its use in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

41%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be discovered" expresses the possibility of something being found or revealed, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. This phrase enjoys widespread usage, as evidenced by its prevalence in news, science, and academic contexts. The phrase functions as a passive modal construction, indicating potential future findings. While generally correct and versatile, it's crucial to avoid using it when implying certainty, and to select more precise alternatives like "might be found" when appropriate. Considering its frequency and broad applicability, mastering the nuances of "could be discovered" can enhance the clarity and accuracy of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be found

Focuses more directly on the act of finding something.

may be revealed

Emphasizes the revealing of something previously hidden.

can be detected

Highlights the ability to perceive or notice something.

could be detected

Highlights the ability to perceive or notice something with the past tense of could.

might come to light

Suggests a gradual unveiling or becoming known.

may surface

Implies that something will emerge or become apparent.

can be uncovered

Focuses on the effort of exposing or revealing something.

could be unearthed

Suggests a more intensive or historical discovery.

can be ascertained

Focuses on the process of finding something out for certain.

might be learned

Emphasizes the gaining of knowledge about something.

FAQs

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

Use "could be discovered" to indicate a potential for something to be found or revealed. For instance, "New evidence "could be discovered" at the crime scene".

What's a good alternative to "could be discovered"?

Alternatives include phrases like "might be found", "may be revealed", or "can be detected", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "can be discovered" instead of "could be discovered"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "can be discovered" implies a general possibility, while "could be discovered" suggests a more conditional or uncertain possibility. The choice depends on the context.

What is the difference between "could be discovered" and "could be identified"?

"Could be discovered" implies finding something new or previously unknown, while "could be identified" suggests recognizing or determining the nature of something already known but not yet specified.