could be doing

USAGE SUMMARY

"could be doing" is an appropriate phrase to use in written English.
It is used to suggest a potential action. For example, "I could be doing a better job at home with my housework."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Who could be doing this?

The Guardian

"We could be doing so much more".

The New York Times

But Poland could be doing better still.

The Economist

I know I could be doing more.

The New York Times

"We could be doing more, and less.

The New Yorker

You could be doing something really meaningful".

The New Yorker

We could be doing even better.

Harvard University

I know you could be doing better.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

ReprintsWhat could be done?

The Economist

Nothing could be done.

The New York Times

What could be done?

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could be doing" to express a possibility or potential action in the present or future. It's suitable for suggesting alternatives or expressing uncertainty about someone's current activities.

Common error

While "could be doing" is versatile, overuse in formal writing may sound vague. Replace with stronger verbs or more direct phrasing when precision is crucial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be doing" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing possibility, speculation, or potential action. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage and grammatical correctness. Examples demonstrate its versatility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be doing" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express possibility or speculation about an action in progress. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across a wide range of sources, including news media, academic papers, and online forums. While its register is generally neutral, writers should consider the context and choose more precise language in formal settings. By understanding its function, purpose, and common usage patterns, you can effectively incorporate "could be doing" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be performing

Indicates a lower degree of certainty compared to "could be doing".

may be undertaking

Suggests a formal or planned action, unlike the more general "could be doing".

potentially engaging in

Emphasizes the possibility of involvement in a specific activity, more direct than "could be doing".

possibly carrying out

Highlights the execution aspect of an action, making it more concrete than "could be doing".

conceivably working on

Implies that the action is work-related, adding a specific context absent in "could be doing".

perhaps in the process of

Focuses on the ongoing nature of an activity, which is not explicitly stated in "could be doing".

might undertake

Simplifies the expression while retaining the sense of possibility but removes the continuous aspect.

may engage in

Similar to "might undertake" but with a slightly more formal tone.

is capable of doing

Shifts the focus to ability rather than possibility.

would be performing

Introduces a conditional aspect, implying the action is dependent on certain circumstances, which isn't present in "could be doing".

FAQs

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

"Could be doing" is used to express possibility or speculation about an action currently in progress. For example, "He "could be working" late tonight" suggests a possibility, not a certainty.

What are some alternatives to "could be doing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "might be doing", "may be doing", or "potentially engaging in". The choice depends on the degree of certainty and formality you want to convey.

Is "could be doing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "could be doing" is grammatically correct. It follows the structure of a modal verb ("could") + auxiliary verb ("be") + present participle ("doing"), indicating a continuous action that is possible or uncertain.

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

"Could be doing" expresses possibility or speculation, while "should be doing" expresses obligation or expectation. For example, "He "could be studying"" suggests it's possible he is, whereas "He "should be studying"" implies he has a duty to study.