could be exercised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be exercised" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a particular action or right is possible to be taken or utilized under certain conditions. Example: "The rights granted in this agreement could be exercised at any time during the contract period."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The value of those options, if they could be exercised today, would be $3.8 million.

The New York Times

At Comverse, favored employees were given options that could be exercised overnight for millions in profits, prosecutors said.

The New York Times - Tech

If this degree of control could be exercised over a broader population, perhaps U.S. Health Care, Inc., would be feasible.

The New York Times

He could, for example, do a "forward sale" of Halliburton stock, delivering it only after the options could be exercised.

The New York Times

It became recognized that no local jurisdiction, whether criminal or civil, could be exercised over the sovereign.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The area in which administrative discretion could be exercised grew; civil servants became as much adjudicators as administrators, and their influence upon economic life increased.

Britannica

This allowed employers to permanently replace striking workers, making the right to strike one that could be exercised only at the potential cost of one's livelihood.

The Washington Post

The president's power could be exercised arbitrarily, and governors have used military intervention as a crutch rather than set up their own police forces.

The New York Times

Most people would be shocked to know that the police have such extensive powers which could be exercised in relation to anyone, whether suspicious or not".

The Guardian

Including restricted share units and other securities that could be exercised in the coming months, the company's market value was over $28 billion.

The Guardian - Tech

In addition, he has 100,000 options to buy shares at $54.50, slightly above the current price, that could be exercised now.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about rights or options, use "could be exercised" to clearly indicate the possibility of taking action without implying certainty. For instance, "The break clause in the contract "could be exercised" in 2027."

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice when using "could be exercised". Ensure that the subject performing the action is clear to maintain sentence clarity. Instead of "Power "could be exercised"", specify who "could exercise" the power.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be exercised" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a potential action or possibility. Ludwig AI confirms that it correctly expresses that something is possible or permissible under certain conditions. For example, 'the option "could be exercised"'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Encyclopedias

16%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be exercised" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It indicates a potential action or right available for use under specific conditions. Predominantly found in news, encyclopedic, and academic contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral to formal register. When using "could be exercised", ensure clarity by specifying who is performing the action and avoid overuse of the passive voice. Alternatives such as "can be implemented" or "may be utilized" can provide nuanced variations depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be implemented

Replaces "exercised" with "implemented", focusing on the act of putting something into effect.

may be utilized

Substitutes "could" with "may" and "exercised" with "utilized", indicating a possibility of use.

might be applied

Replaces "exercised" with "applied", emphasizing the act of putting something to a specific purpose or task.

is capable of being enacted

Uses a more formal tone, replacing "could be exercised" with a longer phrase emphasizing the ability to enact something.

can be put into practice

Emphasizes the practical application of something, replacing "exercised" with "put into practice".

is liable to be invoked

Indicates a formal activation or calling upon a right or law.

is subject to implementation

Focuses on the condition of being able to be implemented, implying a rule or procedure.

is eligible for application

Highlights the eligibility or qualification for applying something.

can be brought to bear

Indicates that something can be used to influence a situation.

is open to being wielded

Suggests control or power being applied.

FAQs

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

Use "could be exercised" to indicate that a right, option, or power is available to be used. For example, "The option to renew the contract "could be exercised" before the end of the year."

What are some alternatives to "could be exercised"?

You can use alternatives like "can be implemented", "may be utilized", or "might be applied" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "can be exercised" instead of "could be exercised"?

"Can be exercised" implies a general ability or permission, while "could be exercised" suggests a conditional possibility. Both are grammatically correct, but the choice depends on the specific nuance you intend to convey.

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

"Could be exercised" indicates a possibility, while "should be exercised" implies a recommendation or obligation. For example, "The right to vote "could be exercised" by any citizen" simply states a possibility, while "The right to vote "should be exercised" by every citizen" suggests it is a civic duty.