could be disputed

USAGE SUMMARY

"could be disputed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when a statement may have an alternate opinion or interpretation. For example: "The claim that the Earth is flat could be disputed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

This season alone, the exact figure could be disputed.

The Guardian - Sport

For that reason, Mr. Duelfer's choice could be disputed among those in the Bush administration who have stuck to the view that illicit weapons -- cited by the administration as a principal reason for going to war -- will eventually be discovered.

The New York Times

This claim could be disputed by American businesses, which have lost $30.7 billion in the last two years because of visa delays and denials for their foreign partners and employees, according to a survey sponsored by eight business organizations.

The New York Times - Books

The parents, foreseeing that assessment of whether an activity had in fact “damaged” the house could be disputed by their son, might have wished to preclude all argument by specifying and categorically prohibiting the one activity—hosting a party—that was most likely to cause damage and most likely to occur.

Cornell University

— NATE SILVER With Mitt Romney's win in Florida tonight, he has won all of the state's 50 delegates — although there is some chance the outcome could be disputed because Florida's winner-take-all allocation is technically in violation of Republican party rules.

The New York Times

The publication of percentage pass marks has been resisted in the past because it could lead to students being rejected from university on the basis of a single percentage point, which would not be statistically significant and could be disputed by applicants.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

There could be disputes over the ongoing attempts to stabilise the euro and Holland's participation in bailing out weaker eurozone countries.

The Guardian

But Kolzig, who had 32 saves, allowed a goal that couldn't be disputed.

The Washington Post

That, you might think, could scarcely be disputed after his astonishing performance in the greatest Olympic 100 metres final in history.

The Times

But the North Gauteng high court said the fact that some people felt threatened by the song could not be disputed.

The Guardian

And, of course, tax cuts and the Iraq war could also be disputed, as well as defended, on any or all of these grounds.But some of these arguments are undeniably internally inconsistent.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could be disputed" when you want to express that a statement or fact is not universally accepted and may be challenged or debated. It is particularly useful in academic and professional writing where objectivity and nuanced perspectives are important.

Common error

Avoid using "could be disputed" without offering any indication of why it might be disputed. Always provide some context or evidence to support the claim that the statement is not universally accepted; otherwise, it weakens your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be disputed" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a possibility or potential for disagreement or challenge. As Ludwig AI points out, this suggests that a statement isn't universally accepted and is subject to debate.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could be disputed" is a useful tool for expressing uncertainty or potential disagreement in writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academic writing. While generally neutral, it's crucial to provide context when using this phrase, explaining why a statement is open to debate. Alternatives such as "might be challenged" or "is open to debate" can provide subtle shifts in emphasis, allowing for more precise communication. Overall, understanding the nuances of "could be disputed" and its alternatives allows writers to express uncertainty with clarity and sophistication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be challenged

Emphasizes the possibility of a formal objection or questioning.

may be contested

Highlights the potential for active opposition or disagreement.

is open to debate

Suggests that the issue is a suitable topic for discussion with differing viewpoints.

is subject to disagreement

Focuses on the likelihood of conflicting opinions or perspectives.

is questionable

Implies doubt or uncertainty about the validity or accuracy of something.

can be doubted

Highlights the possibility of skepticism or disbelief.

is not definitive

Indicates that the statement lacks conclusive proof or certainty.

is up for grabs

Informal phrase suggesting that the outcome or interpretation is still uncertain and competitive.

remains uncertain

Emphasizes the ongoing lack of clarity or resolution.

is contentious

Highlights the likelihood of causing argument or controversy.

FAQs

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

Use "could be disputed" to indicate that a statement or fact is not universally accepted and may be challenged. For example, "The accuracy of the data /s/may+be+contested/may+be+contested based on the methodology used".

What are some alternatives to "could be disputed"?

Alternatives include "might be challenged", "may be contested", or "is open to debate", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "could be disputed" or "is disputed"?

"Could be disputed" suggests a possibility of disagreement, while "is disputed" indicates an existing disagreement. Choose the phrasing that accurately reflects the current state of acceptance of the statement.

What's the difference between "could be disputed" and "could be argued"?

"Could be disputed" implies that the facts or validity of a statement are questionable, while "could be argued" suggests that the interpretation or implications are open to different viewpoints.