could be held

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'could be held' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a possible or hypothetical situation or event. For example: "There is the possibility that the meeting could be held virtually due to the current lockdown restrictions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The votes could be held early next week.

The New York Times

* The trials could be held in secret.

The New York Times

"It could be held against us".

The New York Times

A convention, it seemed, could be held anywhere at all.

The New York Times

At least, unlike zonally, Reid could be held accountable.

Independent

Where an important conversation could be held, confrontation prevails.

The New York Times

No multi-shot or self-loading handguns could be held.

The Guardian

Those men could be held in federal or military prisons.

The New York Times

He could be held for forty-eight hours.

The New Yorker

These extra shows, could be held over until the fall.

The New York Times

– could be held to account by the unelected chamber.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could be held", ensure the context clearly indicates what "could" refers to – a possibility, a suggestion, or a condition. This avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While "could be held" is grammatically sound, excessive use of passive voice can make writing sound weak. Consider rephrasing to an active voice where appropriate for a more direct and engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be held" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating a possibility or potential for something to be acted upon or contained. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could be held" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction that expresses possibility or potential. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various domains. With 59 real-world examples, the analysis reveals that it's frequently used in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science. The phrase functions as a modal passive construction, often conveying hypothetical or conditional events. When writing, ensure the context clarifies the referent to avoid ambiguity and be mindful of overusing the passive voice. While "could be held" is correct, it can sometimes be improved by rephrasing to active voice for a more direct style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be conducted

Replaces "held" with "conducted", suggesting a more formal or organized event.

may be convened

Uses "convened" instead of "held", implying a more official or structured gathering.

can be organized

Focuses on the ability to organize rather than just "hold" something.

can potentially be organized

Adds "potentially" to emphasize the possibility of organizing something.

is able to be maintained

Emphasizes the capacity to sustain or keep something in a certain state.

is capable of being sustained

Highlights the capability to keep something going or supported.

it is possible to arrange

Expresses the feasibility of making arrangements for an event or situation.

it is feasible to conduct

Highlights the practicality of conducting something.

has the potential to be kept

Focuses on the potential for something to be retained or preserved.

is liable to be convened

Suggests a probability or likelihood of being officially assembled or called together.

FAQs

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

Use "could be held" to express a possibility or suggestion, like "The meeting "could be held" next week" or "The suspect "could be held" for questioning".

What are some alternatives to "could be held"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "might be conducted", "may be convened", or "can be organized" to express similar meanings.

Is it correct to say "can be held" instead of "could be held"?

"Can be held" implies a stronger possibility or ability, while ""could be held"" suggests a weaker possibility or condition. Choose the phrase that best reflects the intended level of certainty.

What's the difference between "could be held" and "should be held"?

"Could be held" indicates a possibility, whereas "should be held" expresses a recommendation or obligation. The choice depends on whether you're stating a possibility or suggesting a course of action.