could be grandfathered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be grandfathered" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or regulatory contexts to indicate that certain existing conditions or rights may be preserved under new rules or laws. Example: "The new zoning regulations will take effect next month, but properties that were established before this date could be grandfathered and allowed to continue operating as they have."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Environmentalists are also worried about the ease with which existing projects could be grandfathered before the rule takes effect.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

(Apps already live were grandfathered in, and could be updated. But it was unclear how long that would be the case).

TechCrunch

"Now I could be the grandfather of a lot of people I'm working with".

The New York Times - Arts

The figures he points to could be the grandfathers of those making important contemporary art today.

The New York Times

But when I look at those cases, I have to say to myself, and I do say to myself, "You know, this could be your grandfather, this could be your grandmother.

The Economist

It was then thought the man could be a grandfather, Hugh Toner, who went missing 22 years ago from a hospital in Northern Ireland.

Independent

In immigration cases, Alito said, "I do say to myself, 'You know, this could be your grandfather, this could be your grandmother.' " He continued: "When I get a case about discrimination, I have to think about people in my own family who suffered discrimination because of their ethnic background or because of religion or because of gender.

The New York Times - Magazine

I could be her grandfather!" In front of the auditorium sits his wife, Soon-Yi, who is in fact young enough to be his daughter.

Huffington Post

I'm sick of sitting through painful moments where an older man is outwardly commenting on my appearance or asking questions about my sexual preferences, putting his hand on my leg or lower back, and being told to laugh off revolting advances by someone who could be my grandfather, all because they are a "really good collector".

Huffington Post

In a women's prison housing 49 women and their 35 children, he met girls who had been forced to marry men who could be their grandfathers.

Unicef

The Carlson Companies could be called the grandfather of customer loyalty programs, dating to 1938, when the company first started giving out Gold Bond Trading Stamps.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could be grandfathered", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being preserved and under what new regulations or laws. Clarity is key in legal and regulatory writing.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "could be grandfathered" implies a perpetual exemption. Grandfathering clauses often have limitations or sunset provisions. Always verify the specific terms of the exemption.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be grandfathered" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject is eligible to be exempted from new rules due to pre-existing conditions. Ludwig indicates this usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could be grandfathered" is a grammatically correct term mainly found in legal or regulatory discussions. It describes situations where pre-existing entities or practices are potentially exempt from new rules. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase indicates an eligibility for exemption based on prior conditions. While its frequency is rare, primarily appearing in news, formal, and business contexts, it’s crucial to understand its scope, avoiding assumptions of perpetual exemption. Alternatives like "may be exempt" or "might be excluded" offer similar meanings depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be preserved under prior rules

Highlights the preservation of conditions under a previous regulatory framework.

may retain existing rights

Emphasizes the preservation of rights already held.

may be shielded from new laws

Emphasizes the protective aspect against new legal impositions.

might maintain current status

Stresses the continuation of a present condition despite changes.

may be permitted to continue

Focuses on permission to proceed as before despite new restrictions.

may be exempt

Focuses on the exemption from a new rule, rather than the continuation of a previous state.

might be unaffected by changes

Highlights the unchanged condition despite alterations in rules.

might be allowed to proceed

Indicates that previous activities could continue despite changes.

might be excluded

Highlights the exclusion from new regulations based on prior status.

could be carried over

Stresses the notion of pre-existing permissions being transferred forward.

FAQs

What does it mean for something to "could be grandfathered"?

When something "could be grandfathered", it means that existing rules or laws don't apply, allowing it to continue operating under previous regulations. This often happens when new regulations are introduced.

How do I use "could be grandfathered" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a situation where an existing entity or practice is exempt from new rules. For example: "Businesses established before the zoning change "may be exempt"."

What's an alternative to saying "could be grandfathered"?

Alternatives include "may be exempt", "might be excluded", or "may retain existing rights", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what situations is "could be grandfathered" commonly used?

"Could be grandfathered" is often used in legal, zoning, and regulatory contexts where new rules are being implemented, and there's a need to address existing entities or practices that don't comply with the new rules.