could be from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be from" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest that something originates from a certain place or group. For example: "The piece of jewelry she was wearing could be from the 14th century."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

"That picture could be from 1965, and it could be from 2012," Mr. Varvatos said.

The New York Times

(This could be from "The Sopranos").

The New Yorker

"That could be from last year's crop.

The New Yorker

They could be from readers.

The New York Times - Books

– It could be from our son Absalom.

The Guardian - Books

It could be from anything – it could be from an Alan Clarke movie!

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

He has a Caribbean accent and could be from Antigua, Barbuda or Jamaica.

Vice

That powerful E Street Band sound could be from decades past or future.

Huffington Post

Or they could be from point sources, mainly black holes and neutron stars.

The New York Times - Science

The Neptunes could be from anywhere in the country, but Timbaland reads quickly as Southern.

The New York Times - Magazine

Michael thinks Gordana's dress could be from a regular department store.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could be from" to introduce hypotheses or speculations, especially in scientific or investigative contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "could be from" when definitive evidence points to a specific origin. Opt for more direct and assertive language to maintain credibility and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be from" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating a possibility or uncertainty regarding the origin or source of something. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, and our examples from Ludwig confirm its usage in suggesting potential origins.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could be from" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express a possibility about the origin or source of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. While "could be from" is generally acceptable in both formal and informal settings, it's essential to use it accurately, ensuring the context reflects a degree of uncertainty rather than a definitive origin. Alternatives like "might originate from" or "may stem from" can add nuance to your writing, while overusing the phrase in situations requiring certainty should be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might originate from

Replaces "could be" with "might originate", emphasizing a possible starting point.

may stem from

Substitutes "could be" with "may stem", suggesting a potential cause or root.

possibly derives from

Uses "possibly derives" to highlight the derivation or extraction from a source.

potentially arises from

Emphasizes the emergence or development from a specific origin using "potentially arises".

conceivably comes from

Replaces "could be" with "conceivably comes", indicating a plausible source.

might be sourced from

Focuses on the sourcing aspect, suggesting the origin of something with "might be sourced".

can be attributed to

Uses a more formal tone, attributing the origin to something specific.

is possibly related to

Indicates a potential connection or association with something.

is perhaps connected to

Emphasizes a potential link or relationship with something, using a slightly more uncertain tone.

it's plausible that it originated in

Expresses the origin in more detail and by use of 'it's plausible'

FAQs

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

Use "could be from" to express a possibility about the origin or source of something. For example, "The artifact "could be from" the Roman era" suggests a potential but unconfirmed origin.

What are some alternatives to "could be from"?

Alternatives include phrases like "might originate from", "may stem from", or "possibly derives from", which all convey a similar sense of potential origin or source. Consider "might originate from" or "may stem from" to vary your writing.

Is "could be from" formal or informal?

"Could be from" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it's often found in neutral to slightly formal settings. The appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.

What's the difference between "could be from" and "is from"?

"Could be from" indicates uncertainty or possibility, while "is from" implies certainty. Use "The music "is from" New York" when you are sure of the origin. Otherwise, "could be from" is more appropriate to suggest the origin.