could be guessed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be guessed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is not certain but can be inferred or deduced based on available information. Example: "The answer to the riddle was challenging, but with some clues, it could be guessed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Many numbers could be guessed at by simply knowing a person's birth data, the researchers from Carnegie Mellon University said.

The Washington Post

That, combined with a strong corpus of published work, means that even the most secure passphrases could be guessed scarily quickly.

The Guardian - Tech

That could be guessed from Mr. Combs's resume: he is a 2002 graduate of Columbia Business School (Mr. Buffett's alma mater), where he participated in the value investing program (where Mr. Buffett, the greatest value investor of all, looms as a sort of living deity).

The New York Times

13 % of the answers could be guessed within five attempts by guessing the most popular answers of other participants.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

It could be guessed that TTkNN uses both test and training data information, while kNN only uses test data.

Brain Informatics

Experts had highlighted that celebrities could be vulnerable to attacks if their passwords or security question answers could be guessed from articles written about them.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

But Spaniards could be guessing for days, or even weeks, about the shape and colour of their next Government.

BBC

or gluons - that could only be guessed from experiment.

Columbia University

What occurred next could only be guessed at.

The Guardian - Books

The other terms could only be guessed at the fraction of stars with planets in the habitable zone, for example.

MIT Technology Review

In 1961 most of the parameters could only be guessed at.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could be guessed" when you want to convey that something is not explicitly stated but can be inferred from the available information.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "could be guessed" can sometimes sound informal in academic or professional writing. Consider using more precise alternatives like "could be deduced" or "might be inferred" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be guessed" functions as a passive construction, indicating a possibility or potential. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various contexts where something is not explicitly known but can be inferred or speculated.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be guessed" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express the potential for something to be inferred or speculated. Ludwig AI analysis suggests it's suitable for a range of contexts, from news articles to scientific papers, though more formal options exist for academic settings. While the phrase isn't incredibly common, it's a useful way to introduce uncertainty or conjecture, indicating that something is not explicitly known but can be reasonably inferred from the available information. As Ludwig's examples show, the phrase finds application in diverse spheres, and its apt usage can effectively convey the potential for inference.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be inferred

Replaces "could be guessed" with a more formal tone, emphasizing the act of drawing a conclusion.

could be deduced

Similar to "might be inferred" but suggests a more logical and systematic process of reaching a conclusion.

might be speculated

Suggests a less certain form of guessing, implying a degree of conjecture.

can be predicted

Focuses on the ability to foresee something based on available information.

is potentially predictable

Emphasizes the possibility of prediction, highlighting the uncertainty involved.

is conceivably surmised

A more formal and less common way of saying that something can be guessed.

can be figured out

A more informal way of saying that something can be guessed, suggesting a problem-solving approach.

is liable to be estimated

Focuses on the estimation aspect, suggesting an approximate calculation.

can be reasonably assumed

Highlights the role of assumptions in the process of guessing.

is open to speculation

Shifts the focus to the speculative nature of the topic, rather than the act of guessing itself.

FAQs

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

You can use "could be guessed" when you want to say something is not directly stated but can be reasonably inferred. For example, "The password complexity was so low it "could be guessed" easily".

What are some alternatives to "could be guessed"?

Alternatives include "might be inferred", "could be deduced", or "can be predicted", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "could be guessed" too informal for academic writing?

While not strictly incorrect, "could be guessed" may sound too casual for some academic contexts. Consider using more formal phrases like "might be inferred" or "could be deduced" in those situations.

What's the difference between "could be guessed" and "can be predicted"?

"Could be guessed" implies a degree of uncertainty and inference based on limited information. "Can be predicted" suggests a higher level of certainty and the use of data or patterns to foresee something. The difference is more about confidence about how certain the conclusion is.