could be drained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be drained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility of something being emptied or depleted, often in a literal or metaphorical sense. Example: "The lake could be drained for maintenance, allowing for repairs to the dam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

If borrowing costs remain high, the savings from painful austerity measures that Greece announced a few weeks ago could be drained by paying high interest rates on debt.

The New York Times

The Justice Minister Pracha Promnok, the head of the flood relief centre, said people should not be too concerned because the spillover could be drained.

Independent

They also suggested that the water could be drained to allow the roof to serve as a dance floor or a simple platform above the park.

The New York Times

The front half of his shoulder-length hair was shaved so the recesses of his brain could be drained of fluid.

The New York Times - Sports

Recorded last year after Stone was hospitalised so that fluid could be drained from around her heart, The Art of Love and War radiates beatific, confident optimism.

The Guardian - Music

If so, its oil exports -- 1.1 million barrels a day under the United Nations' oil-for-food program -- could be drained from the world market.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

It could be draining.

The New York Times

This behavior could be draining others.

Huffington Post

It could be draining your productivity.

HuffPost

What I'm telling you is, Trump could be draining hundreds of those a month.

Vice

Bottom line: Food waste could be draining your wallet, hurting the environment and in some cases may be completely unnecessary.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotations of "drained". It can imply a gradual and complete emptying, so choose it when that sense is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "could be drained" when an active voice construction is more direct and clear. For example, instead of "The tank could be drained by the workers", write "The workers could drain the tank".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be drained" functions primarily as a passive verb phrase, indicating a potential action that could be performed on a subject. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of grammatical correctness and widespread usage. The passive construction shifts the focus from the actor to the recipient of the action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

38%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could be drained" is a grammatically sound and versatile passive verb phrase used to indicate the possibility of something being emptied or depleted, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts. The phrase is appropriate for neutral register settings. When writing, be mindful of whether the passive or active voice is more suitable for your intended message. Consider using alternatives like "could be emptied" or "could be depleted" for subtle shifts in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be emptied

Focuses on the action of making something empty, similar to draining.

might be emptied

Expresses possibility with a different auxiliary verb.

could be depleted

Emphasizes the reduction of resources or contents.

can be emptied

Indicates possibility or permission for something to be emptied.

could be evacuated

Implies the removal of contents, often in emergency situations.

could be exhausted

Highlights the complete consumption or using up of something.

can be removed

Highlights the action of taking something away.

could be cleared

Suggests the removal of obstructions or contents.

could be extracted

Focuses on the process of taking something out carefully.

could be siphoned

Implies a specific method of draining using a siphon.

FAQs

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

You can use "could be drained" to describe a possibility or potential action. For example, "The swamp "could be drained" to create farmland", or "His energy "could be drained" by stress".

What are some alternatives to "could be drained"?

Alternatives include "could be emptied", "could be depleted", or "could be exhausted" depending on the context. Each alternative has a slightly different nuance, so choose carefully.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice with "drain"?

It depends on the context. If the actor is important, use the active voice (e.g., "The engineers could drain the reservoir"). If the action itself is more important, use the passive voice ("The reservoir "could be drained"").

What is the difference between "could be drained" and "can be drained"?

"Could be drained" suggests a possibility or hypothetical situation, while "can be drained" implies a capability or permission. For example, "The lake "could be drained" if we get permission" vs. "The lake "can be drained" with this new pump".