could be gone for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be gone for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something may be absent or unavailable for a certain period of time. Example: "He could be gone for a few hours, so we should wait before starting the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"He could be gone for good".

The New Yorker

They could be gone for as long as a year.

The New York Times

"In our lifetimes they could be gone for ever.

The Guardian

In the not uncommon case where an Internet host holds the creator's only copy, the content could be gone for good.

Stanford University

He could be gone for a month or more if the United States qualifies for the Olympics in London next summer.

The New York Times

"If he pulls the plug on this thing, I think it could be gone for another generation," Mr. Yaro said, referring to Mr. Christie.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

A week ago, when Thomas was asked if he could be going for the podium in this Tour, he strongly denied it.

Independent

They could be going for a Sunday morning LSD run instead of head-to-head in an Olympic final.

The Guardian - Sport

— JOANNE C. GERSTNER This Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Milos Raonic match could be going for a while, now at 8-7 in the third set, on serve.

The New York Times

The Mavs could be going for the record of 15-0 set by Washington in 1948-49 and tied by Houston in 1993-94 on Thursday at Indiana.

The New York Times - Sports

It could be going for a walk, playing outside, riding a bike, taking a dance or martial arts class, even dancing in the living room… really, anything that gets them moving (preferably vigorously, at least for some part of the hour) is fine.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could be gone for" to indicate a possibility of absence for a specified duration. For example, "He "could be gone for" a week on vacation."

Common error

Avoid using "could be gone for" when you have definite knowledge of someone's absence. Instead, use phrases like "will be gone for" or "is away for" to convey certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be gone for" functions as a modal phrase indicating a possibility or likelihood of absence for a specified duration. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be gone for" is a commonly used modal phrase that expresses the possibility of someone or something being absent for a certain period. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is frequently found in news and media, as well as academic writings. When using this phrase, be mindful of the level of certainty you want to convey, and consider alternatives like "might be away for" or "may be absent for" depending on the desired tone and level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be away for

Replaces "could" with "might" and "gone" with "away", slightly softening the level of certainty.

may be absent for

Substitutes "could" with "may" and "gone" with "absent", providing a more formal tone.

might be unavailable for

Replaces "gone" with "unavailable", emphasizing lack of access or presence.

could be out for

Uses "out" instead of "gone", suggesting a temporary departure from a place or activity.

could be missing for

Replaces "gone" with "missing", implying a lack of knowledge about their whereabouts.

may not be present for

More formal and emphasizes the lack of presence during a specific time.

might not be around for

Informal, indicating absence or unavailability during a certain period.

could be occupied for

Focuses on the reason of unavailability, suggesting someone is busy with something else.

might be elsewhere for

Specifies that a person is in a different location for a particular duration.

may be detached for

Implies a temporary disconnection or separation, possibly in a professional context.

FAQs

How can I use "could be gone for" in a sentence?

You can use "could be gone for" to express a possibility that someone or something is absent for a certain period. For example, "The mechanic "could be gone for" lunch, so we should wait a bit."

What does "could be gone for" imply?

The phrase implies a level of uncertainty regarding someone's absence and its duration. It suggests a possibility, not a certainty.

What can I say instead of "could be gone for"?

You can use alternatives like "might be away for", "may be absent for", or "might not be around for" depending on the context.

Is "could be gone for" formal or informal?

The phrase "could be gone for" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in more formal settings, consider alternatives like "may be unavailable for".