could be documented

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be documented" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility of recording or providing evidence for something. Example: "The findings from the research could be documented in a formal report for future reference."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And yet almost everything I heard in the uranium towns could be documented.

The New Yorker

Later that day, we discussed if his family could be documented.

The New York Times

The review focused on 10 cases where fraud or abuse could be documented; none of the companies were named.

The New York Times

The Internet could be used to insure transparency; almost every activity of the federal government could be documented online, as some state governments have begun to do.

The New Yorker

If the esophageal stenosis is not severe, its diagnosis may be postponed until adulthood, when a history of long-standing solid foods dysphagia could be documented.

Nature

In addition, a beneficial effect of former exercise on QUS and fall risk at advanced age could be documented in women.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

A complete remodeling of bone defects could be documented radiographically in 70% of the cases and a partial restoration in 30%.

The Journal of Arthroplasty

Among red-tails whose ages could be documented, she was the oldest ever found alive in the wild in North America.

The New York Times

Of course one could approach this in a simple and literal way; the 24 hours could be documented as a linear timeline, starting when one awoke, and ending with sleep.

The Guardian - Arts

As these problems began emerging in the early 70s, our elders quickly realised that the Miriwoong language, culture and values were severely threatened and sought to establish a centre where these could be documented and preserved for future generations.

The Guardian

A front-page article on Friday about the challenges that states face as a result of the Supreme Court's ruling against executing mentally retarded offenders misidentified Ruth A. Luckasson, who commented on how mental ability could be documented.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could be documented", ensure that the context clearly indicates what type of documentation is appropriate (e.g. official records, research reports).

Common error

Avoid using "could be documented" if there are significant obstacles to obtaining reliable documentation. Using it without proper qualification implies a level of certainty that may not exist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be documented" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing possibility in the passive voice. It indicates that something has the potential to be recorded, proven, or supported with evidence, as suggested by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be documented" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express the possibility of recording or providing evidence for something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across diverse contexts, predominantly in science, news, and academia. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly specifies the type of documentation intended and avoid overstating the certainty of documentability. Alternatives such as "could be recorded" or "could be evidenced" can be employed to refine the emphasis, while also checking to avoid the common mistakes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be recorded

Replaces "documented" with a more general term for capturing information.

could be evidenced

Focuses on providing proof or support, rather than simple recording.

could be demonstrated

Emphasizes the act of showing or proving something clearly.

could be substantiated

Highlights the need for solid evidence and verification.

could be verified

Stresses the importance of confirming the truth or accuracy.

could be chronicled

Suggests a detailed and historical record of events.

could be registered

Implies a formal listing or entry into a record.

could be cataloged

Focuses on organizing and classifying information systematically.

could be logged

Replaces "documented" with a term for a systematical record.

could be archived

Implies the long-term preservation of records.

FAQs

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

Use "could be documented" when you want to express the possibility of something being officially recorded or proven. For example, "The experiment's results "could be documented" in a research paper".

What are some alternatives to "could be documented"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "could be recorded", "could be evidenced", or "could be demonstrated" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "can be documented" or "could be documented"?

"Can be documented" implies a more definite possibility, while "could be documented" suggests a conditional or potential possibility. Choose the phrase that best reflects the certainty of the documentation process.

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

"Could be documented" indicates the possibility of documentation, while "should be documented" suggests that documentation is advisable or necessary. The latter implies a recommendation or requirement.