could be happened

USAGE SUMMARY

"could be happened" is not correct or usable in written English.
You can use the phrase "could happen" instead. For example: "If we don't take the necessary precautions, a disaster could happen."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The FIVIR can help to understand the physical phenomena which could be happened in the vacuum vessel during plasma operation and could be one part of EAST remote handling system if needed.

Fusion Engineering and Design

This could be happened also in our set up.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

In the clinical application using PRP, significant differences in platelet concentration or the overall cell types contained in PRP could be happened [ 43].

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

That could be happening again.

The New York Times

What could be happening?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But it could be happening again.

The New York Times

It could be happening here.

The Guardian

"I don't see what more could be happening.

Independent

This kind of shortfall could be happening right across London".

The Guardian - Arts

And there some signs that this could be happening.

The Guardian

"I didn't understand how this could be happening".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct form of the verb after "could be"; use the present participle ("".happening"") or the past participle ("".done"") instead of the past simple form.

Common error

Avoid using the base form of a verb after "could be". It's a common mistake to say "could be happen". Instead, use the present participle ("".happening"") or past participle ("".done"") to form grammatically correct sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be happened" attempts to express a possibility but fails due to incorrect grammar. As noted by Ludwig AI, the correct form involves using the present participle ("".happening"") or past participle ("".done"") after "could be".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could be happened" is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI explains, the correct usage involves using the present participle ("".happening"") or past participle ("".done"") after "could be". The intended meaning is to express possibility, but the error undermines clarity. While it appears infrequently across various sources, mainly in Science and News & Media, it's essential to use correct grammar for effective communication. Alternative phrases like "could happen" provide clearer and more accurate ways to convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could happen

Uses the correct verb form to express possibility.

might occur

A more formal way to indicate a possibility or chance of something taking place.

could come about

Emphasizes the process of something starting or developing.

may take place

Indicates a potential event or action in a more formal tone.

could materialize

Suggests something becoming real or actual after a period of development.

might transpire

A formal way of saying that something occurs or takes place, often unexpectedly.

could unfold

Suggests a gradual revelation or development of events.

may come to pass

An older, somewhat literary way to say that something might happen.

could befall

Implies that something, often negative, might happen to someone or something.

might eventuate

A formal and somewhat uncommon way to express that something might happen as a result of something else.

FAQs

What's the correct way to use "could be" in a sentence?

After "could be", use the present participle ("".happening"") or the past participle ("".done""). For example, "It "could be happening"" or "It "could be done"" are grammatically correct.

Is "could be happen" grammatically correct?

No, "could be happen" is not grammatically correct. The correct form is "could happen".

What does "could happen" mean?

"Could happen" indicates that something is possible or has a chance of occurring.

Which is correct, "could be happened" or "could have happened"?

"Could have happened" is correct. "Could be happened" is grammatically incorrect. The phrase "could have happened" means that something was possible in the past but did not necessarily occur.