could be finalized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be finalized" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the potential completion or agreement of a plan, document, or project that is not yet finished. Example: "The contract details are still under review, but they could be finalized by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Officials said the rules could be finalized by the fall of 2014.

The New York Times

The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency says that a deal with Iran could be finalized "quite soon"..

The New Yorker

Brown must formally approve the deal, but his agent, Scott Boras, characterized the deal as "very close" to completion and said it could be finalized on Saturday.

The New York Times - Sports

He said yesterday that he was close to signing a new contract that could be finalized in the next few days.

The New York Times - Sports

The sale could be finalized during the first half of next year, though BAA has yet to select advisers for the deal.

The New York Times

"I'm very optimistic we will reach an agreement," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said on the Senate floor, where he appeared with minority leader Mitch McConnell to voice their mutual optimism that a deal could be finalized within days.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

She speaks softly and articulately and makes eye contact with me the whole time, even though she could be finalizing the looks for her collection.

Huffington Post

Despite the tight timetable, Mr. Emanuel said, the bill could still be finalized this week.

The New York Times

The owners had been in discussion with potential financial partners and investors for the past year, according to Mr. Topiol, who said that "this process which was in its final phase, was directly hit by the conditions of the financial markets and could not be finalized prior to the filing".

The New York Times

But that trip was scrubbed, officials said Thursday, when arrangements could not be finalized.

Los Angeles Times

The proposed rules could reportedly be finalized and put into effect as early as next month.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could be finalized" when indicating a possibility of reaching a final agreement or completion point. It's suitable when the outcome is not yet certain but is reasonably expected.

Common error

Avoid using "could be finalized" when the situation demands a definitive statement. If the finalization is confirmed, opt for stronger verbs like "will be finalized" or "has been finalized".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be finalized" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating a possibility or potential for something to reach its final stage or completion. Ludwig shows numerous examples across diverse contexts, confirming its role in expressing contingent future events.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Science & Research

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be finalized" is a modal verb phrase used to express the possibility of something reaching a final or agreed-upon state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly found in diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Scientific publications. The phrase conveys a tentative prediction, and it's essential to use it when the outcome isn't yet certain. While alternatives exist, such as "might be completed" or "may be concluded", "could be finalized" strikes a balance between possibility and expectation, making it a versatile choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be completed

Uses "might" instead of "could", suggesting a slightly lower probability of completion.

may be concluded

Replaces "finalized" with "concluded", implying a formal ending or settlement.

can be accomplished

Substitutes "finalized" with "accomplished", focusing on the achievement aspect.

is likely to be settled

Uses "likely" and "settled" to convey a high probability of resolution.

is expected to be resolved

Employs "expected" and "resolved" to indicate an anticipated solution.

is anticipated to be completed

Replaces "could" with "is anticipated" and "finalized" with "completed", indicating expectation.

is slated to be finished

Uses "slated" and "finished" to suggest a scheduled completion.

is on track to be implemented

Indicates that the process is progressing as planned towards implementation.

is nearing completion

Focuses on the progressive aspect, highlighting that the process is close to ending.

is drawing to a close

Emphasizes the end stage of the process, suggesting imminent finalization.

FAQs

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

You can use "could be finalized" to express the possibility of something reaching its final stage or agreement. For example, "The agreement "could be finalized" next week if all parties agree."

What are some alternatives to "could be finalized"?

Alternatives include "might be completed", "may be concluded", or "can be accomplished", depending on the context.

What's the difference between "could be finalized" and "will be finalized"?

"Could be finalized" implies a possibility, while "will be finalized" suggests a higher degree of certainty or a confirmed plan. The former indicates a potential outcome, whereas the latter expresses a future commitment.

When is it appropriate to use "could be finalized" over "is expected to be resolved"?

Use "could be finalized" when the final outcome is still somewhat uncertain. If there's a strong indication or expectation of resolution, "is expected to be resolved" is more appropriate. The nuance lies in the level of confidence in the expected outcome.