could be improved

USAGE SUMMARY

"could be improved" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express the possibility that something could have been better. For example, "The order process could be improved by having more options for delivery."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What could be improved.

University of California, Berkeley

Of course, they could be improved.

The New Yorker

Aspects of surveillance could be improved.

Independent

Yes, it could be improved.

The Guardian

Anderson decided this method could be improved.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I said every program could be improved.

The New York Times

A few other things could be improved.

The New York Times - Arts

But there's no question that efficiency could be improved.

Stanford University

There's always something else that could be improved or fixed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Also, the presentation could be improved by justifying the margins ❷.

The Guardian

But the protocols and facility at Ampijoroa could be improved.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone when using "could be improved". In some contexts, it might be more appropriate to use a more positive or encouraging phrasing, such as "has potential for growth."

Common error

While "could be improved" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Try to rephrase sentences to use active voice and highlight who or what is responsible for the improvement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be improved" functions as a modal phrase expressing a suggestion or possibility for enhancement. It indicates that a particular aspect or element is not at its optimal level and has the potential to be better. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could be improved" is a common and grammatically correct modal phrase used to suggest areas for enhancement. Ludwig's AI confirms its validity and widespread usage. With a neutral tone suitable for various contexts like news, academia and science, this phrase subtly points out potential for development without being overly critical. When using "could be improved", strive for specificity, indicating precisely what needs enhancement. Remember, as highlighted by Ludwig, there are numerous alternatives, such as "has room for improvement" and "can be enhanced", that can add nuance to your writing and avoid overusing the passive voice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has room for improvement

Replaces the modal verb with a noun phrase, emphasizing the existence of potential improvement.

can be enhanced

Substitutes "improved" with "enhanced", suggesting a focus on increasing quality or value.

would benefit from changes

Highlights the positive impact of making alterations.

has potential to be better

Emphasizes the unrealized potential for a more desirable state.

is capable of being refined

Uses more formal language, suggesting a process of removing imperfections.

warrants further development

Focuses on the need for additional work and progress.

could be further optimized

Implies that the current state is functional but not at its peak performance.

presents opportunities for refinement

Suggests that the area in question offers chances to improve and become more polished.

is not as good as it could be

Directly states the current state is suboptimal.

is susceptible to enhancement

Indicates vulnerability to improvement.

FAQs

How to use "could be improved" in a sentence?

The phrase "could be improved" suggests that something has the potential to be better. For example, "The user interface "could be improved" with a simpler design".

What can I say instead of "could be improved"?

You can use alternatives like "has room for improvement", "can be enhanced", or "would benefit from changes" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "could be improved" or "can be improved"?

Both "could be improved" and "can be improved" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Could be improved" suggests a possibility or suggestion, while "can be improved" suggests a potential or capability.

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

"Could be improved" implies a suggestion or possibility for enhancement. "Should be improved" implies a stronger need or obligation for enhancement.