could be encountered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be encountered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the possibility of coming across something in a particular context or situation. Example: "During the hike, various wildlife species could be encountered, including deer and foxes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This cliff could be encountered when analog signals cease broadcasting on Feb. 18, 2009.

The New York Times

The chapter also describes the main surface-texture parameters that could be encountered when specifying surfaces for sealing counter-faces.

Seals and Sealing Handbook

I developed this project to uncover the varying practice opportunities and challenges that could be encountered by social workers in their first year after qualification.

The Guardian

Similar problems could be encountered with regular use of cocaine, one of the drugs most commonly linked to attempted suicide and suicide, she said.

The Guardian - Sport

Compounding the potential problems that could be encountered with an increase in the use of detection dogs is that the supply of dogs suited to this kind of work is not infinite.

The New Yorker

The objective of this article is to investigate the response of a nuclear power plant containment structure to a much higher internal pressure that could be encountered during a severe accident.

International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping

A mathematical model of Phase 1 vaccine trial design was used to investigate strategies for minimizing the number of serious adverse events (SAEs) that could be encountered in the first Phase 1 trials of new vaccine formulations.

Vaccine

The recital was just one of the diverse ways in which the music could be encountered, and scholarship was making clear that that was always the case — that the recital was the exception, not the rule.

The New York Times - Magazine

The silica solution consisted of 500ppm silica using Tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS, Sigma Aldrich) in water and with 30 g.l−1 of sea salts (Sigma Aldrich) to mimic saline and briny conditions, more similar to what could be encountered by cells in natural environments.

Nature

The paper details the challenges that had (and have) to be overcome, taking into account general obstacles which could be encountered by any large research body implementing a CRIS, some challenges specific to the German university landscape and lastly those unique to FAU.

Procedia Computer Science

This fact and the known relationship of HTLV-III to some lentiviruses suggest that functional antigenic variation could be encountered.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could be encountered" to indicate a possibility or potential, especially when discussing risks, challenges, or observations in various fields.

Common error

Avoid using "could be encountered" excessively, as it contributes to passive voice. Consider active constructions for more direct and engaging writing. For example, instead of "Problems could be encountered", try "You might face problems".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be encountered" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating the possibility of something being experienced or faced. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. This contrasts with the active voice, where someone or something actively encounters something else.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

22%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be encountered" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express potential or hypothetical situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, it maintains a neutral to formal tone. When writing, be mindful of overusing passive constructions and consider active alternatives for greater clarity. The phrase is very common, with multiple examples available on Ludwig, showcasing its widespread applicability. Alternatives like "might be found" or "may be experienced" offer similar meanings with subtle variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be found

Suggests a slightly lower probability or expectation than "could be encountered".

may be experienced

Emphasizes the experiencing of something, whereas "could be encountered" is more general.

might be met with

Implies facing something, often a challenge or obstacle.

potentially be faced

Highlights the potential aspect, adding a sense of anticipation.

possibly be observed

More suited for situations involving observation or detection.

conceivably be detected

Focuses on the possibility of detecting something, implying it might be difficult.

can arise

Indicates that something can emerge or occur, often unexpectedly.

might present itself

Suggests something will become apparent or available.

one might stumble upon

Implies finding something unexpectedly or by chance.

one may come across

Suggests a casual or unplanned discovery.

FAQs

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

Use "could be encountered" to describe potential situations or challenges one might face. For example, "Several difficulties "could be encountered" during the experiment".

What can I say instead of "could be encountered"?

Alternatives include phrases like "might be found", "may be experienced", or "might be met with", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "could be encountered" or "may be encountered"?

"Could" suggests a potential possibility, while "may" indicates a higher probability. Choose the word that best reflects the likelihood of the event occurring. Both ""could be encountered"" and "may be encountered" are grammatically correct.

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

"Could be encountered" indicates a conditional or potential possibility, while "can be encountered" suggests a general possibility or ability. "Can" implies it is generally possible, while "could" implies it is possible under certain circumstances.