could be excluded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be excluded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility of something being left out or not included in a particular context or situation. Example: "Certain items from the list could be excluded if they do not meet the criteria."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hydrogen-sulfate coadsorbed with hydronium ions could be excluded.

Electrochimica Acta

In some circumstances your home could be excluded.

The Guardian - Money

Jouty said, however, that no theory could be excluded yet.

Independent

It means that she could be excluded from her studies.

Independent

Additionally, large parts of the area investigated could be excluded from further investigation and remediation activities.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

Precipitation of SnS or formation of a solid solution with mackinawite could be excluded.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

A Langmuir Hinshelwood mechanism was found, a Eley Rideal mechanism could be excluded.

Chemical Engineering Science

On Wednesday, the chancellor suggested that students could be excluded from the net migration target.

The Guardian - Opinion

For instance, administrators who hold a "position of responsibility" while performing nonmanual work could be excluded.

The New York Times

Reynders said that after searches of Amrani's house terrorism could be excluded as a driving force.

The Guardian

Hotels, golf courses and "specialist use property" - which could include hospitals and prisons - could be excluded.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "might be omitted" or "may be left out" to add variety to your writing and avoid repetition.

Common error

While "could be excluded" is grammatically sound, overuse of passive voice can make your writing seem weak or evasive. If possible, rephrase to use an active voice for more direct and impactful communication. For example, instead of "Certain items could be excluded", consider "We could exclude certain items".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be excluded" functions as a passive modal construction. It expresses the possibility of something being left out or not included. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, serving to denote potential exclusion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be excluded" is a versatile phrase used to express the possibility of something being omitted or left out. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Its frequency across various contexts, particularly in scientific and news-related domains, highlights its widespread acceptance. When writing, be mindful of the potential for passive voice and consider active alternatives for a more direct style. Depending on the context, "might be omitted", "may be left out", or "can be disregarded" could be used for stylistic variety. "Could be excluded" suggests more potentiality than does "can be ruled out", where there is already an indication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be omitted

Suggests a possibility that something may be left out, emphasizing a weaker possibility.

may be left out

Indicates a possibility of omission, similar to "could be excluded" but with a slightly different nuance.

may not be included

Indicates a possibility that something might not be part of a set or group.

can be disregarded

Implies that something is not important enough to be considered, suggesting a reason for exclusion.

might not be considered

Expresses a possibility that something may not be taken into account.

can be ruled out

Suggests that something is definitely not a possibility, indicating a stronger reason for exclusion.

is potentially excludable

Highlights the capacity or condition of being able to be excluded, it focuses on the potential for exclusion rather than the act itself.

might get dropped

Implies that something may be removed or eliminated, often in a more casual context.

is liable to be removed

Conveys a high probability of being taken away or excluded. Highlighting the likely action of exclusion.

is subject to exclusion

Suggests that something is under conditions or rules that may lead to its exclusion, emphasizing governance or regulation.

FAQs

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

You can use "could be excluded" to express a possibility of something being omitted or left out, for instance, "Certain data points "could be excluded" from the analysis if they are outliers".

What phrases are similar to "could be excluded"?

Similar phrases include "might be omitted", "may be left out", or "can be disregarded". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of certainty you wish to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "could be excluded"?

While "could be excluded" is grammatically correct in the passive voice, using the active voice can sometimes make your writing more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "Some participants "could be excluded"", consider "We might exclude some participants".

When is it appropriate to use "can be ruled out" instead of "could be excluded"?

"Can be ruled out" implies a definitive exclusion based on certain criteria or evidence, whereas "could be excluded" suggests a possibility or contingency. Use "can be ruled out" when there is strong evidence to support the exclusion. If not, ""could be excluded"" is better.