could be exerted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be exerted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the potential for force, influence, or effort to be applied in a given situation. Example: "In this scenario, pressure could be exerted on the decision-making process to ensure a favorable outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Some human rights groups are anxious that pressure could be exerted on people to be tested without help and treatment being available.

The Guardian

Nor was the public told that the means already existed to dampen demand and reduce the amount of new power needed, if the political will could be exerted.

The New York Times

For we live in a world where, for women, syntax itself can be threatening; so-called 'compliments' a nod to the power that could be exerted upon us, physically, by men if they so chose to do so.

Independent

The maximum adhesive force that could be exerted by a single seta had already been estimated, by measuring the total force exerted by a foot and dividing by the number of setae (around 5,000 per square millimetre).

The Economist

Collaboration on an international scale also was attractive in that it lessened the possibility of a participant's canceling a project before completion, as many agreements had penalty clauses to discourage premature pullout and political pressure could be exerted from other team members.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Political influence could be exerted by means of reforms to the EU and national farm payments (e.g., increased payments for farms with low PPP use) or a levy on PPPs (which is common practice in some EU Member States, e.g., in Denmark).

Environmental Sciences Europe

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

But by leaving his status unresolved, Steinbrenner and his sons, Hank and Hal, could be exerting control over Torre — in effect, showing him who's boss.

The New York Times - Sports

This may be where the rising influence of humans on the global climate system could be exerting the biggest regional influence, said Jennifer A. Francis of Rutgers University.

The New York Times - Science

But, for Mr Putin, Mr Lukashenka is a useful idiot, if an exasperating one, and Russia continues to subsidise him with cheap energy sales.The more important reason is the influence that little Belarus could be exerting on mighty Russia.

The Economist

This missing data could be exerting an effect on the utility scores.

Plosone

Taken together, these findings suggest that BNP could be exerting its proliferative effects through either NPR-A, its preferred receptor or through NPR-B, for which it has reasonable affinity [25].

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about potential influences or forces, use "could be exerted" to indicate a possibility rather than a certainty. For instance, "Pressure could be exerted to change the outcome" suggests a contingent action.

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences where the actor is unclear when using "could be exerted". Ensure that it's evident who or what is capable of exerting the force or influence to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be exerted" functions primarily as a modal passive construction. It indicates a potential or conditional action, where something (influence, pressure, control) can be applied by an unspecified or understood agent. Ludwig AI confirms the general acceptance of this construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

63%

News & Media

21%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could be exerted" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction across various writing contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively communicates the potential for influence, force, or control to be applied. Its presence is particularly notable in scientific and news-related content, suggesting a formal register. While alternatives like "might be applied" or "may be exercised" exist, "could be exerted" maintains a balance of clarity and professionalism, making it a versatile choice for expressing possibility in diverse scenarios. When employing this phrase, ensure that the agent capable of exerting the force is clear to prevent ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be applied

Replaces 'could be' with 'might be', indicating a slightly lower probability.

can be applied

Uses 'can be' instead of 'could be', suggesting possibility and capability.

may be exercised

Substitutes 'exerted' with 'exercised', focusing on the active application of something.

might be brought to bear

Replaces "exerted" with the idiom "brought to bear", emphasizing the application of pressure or influence.

can be brought to bear

Like the prior alternative, but stronger.

could be brought into play

Suggests something is coming into action.

might be leveraged

Replaces 'exerted' with 'leveraged', suggesting the use of something to gain an advantage.

can be influenced

Shifts the focus to the possibility of influence rather than direct exertion.

may be wielded

Implies a degree of skill or control in how something is applied or used.

can be effected

Can be implemented or produced

FAQs

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

Use "could be exerted" to indicate the potential for influence, force, or control to be applied. For example, "Political pressure "could be exerted" through various channels."

What are some alternatives to "could be exerted"?

Alternatives include phrases like "might be applied", "can be applied", or "may be exercised depending on the specific context you are writing about.

Is "could be exerted" formal or informal?

"Could be exerted" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, appearing in news, academic writing, and professional documents. Its formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary.

How does the meaning of "could be exerted" change with different verbs?

The meaning shifts slightly depending on what's being exerted. "Influence could be exerted" suggests a persuasive effect, while "force could be exerted" implies physical action or pressure.