could be increased

USAGE SUMMARY

"could be increased" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express that something has the potential or possibility of being increased, usually referring to a quantity of something. For example: "The number of students in the school could be increased."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That easily could be increased.

The New York Times

Memory capacity could be increased to 640K.

Stanford University

Student loans for living expenses could be increased.

The Guardian

As a consequence, the modified thickness could be increased substantially.

Surface and Coatings Technology

The activity could be increased by increasing the H2O concentration.

Catalysis Today

The perforation power could be increased by some 17%.

International Journal of Impact Engineering

It could be increased by a KrF laser irradiation.

Applied Surface Science

Pay in the fast-food industry could be increased through a variety of means.

University of California, Berkeley

Finally, the corporate tax rate could be increased in combination with the above mechanisms.

Columbia University

That could be increased if other complainants join the action and it is successful.

The Guardian - Tech

Mr. Kosco said the amount in his bill could be increased as needed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could be increased", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being increased and the factors that could influence this increase.

Common error

Avoid using "could be increased" without specifying what "it" refers to. Always provide a clear subject for the increase to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be increased" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating the potential for growth or augmentation. It describes a state or condition that might be achieved. As Ludwig highlights, this phrase is used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

28%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could be increased" signifies a possibility for enhancement or growth, commonly employed across diverse fields like science, news, and academia. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Its function is to suggest potential, and its formality adjusts to the context, often maintaining a neutral to formal tone. To ensure clarity, specify the subject being increased to avoid ambiguity. Exploring alternatives like "might be raised" or "can be elevated" enriches expression while retaining the core concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be raised

Expresses a possibility of increase, similar to the original phrase but uses "raised" which is related to elevation or promotion.

may be augmented

Suggests that something can be supplemented or added to, which results in the increase of something.

can be elevated

Implies raising something to a higher level, similar to increasing in quantity or quality.

could be amplified

Indicates a potential to make something louder or more intense and can be used in contexts where "increase" refers to intensity.

can be expanded

Suggests growth in size or scope.

might be maximized

Focuses on achieving the highest possible level, which is the ultimate goal of increasing something.

may be broadened

Indicates widening the scope or application.

can be intensified

Focuses on enhancing the strength or degree of something.

might see a rise

Uses a different verb structure to indicate an increase, focusing on the outcome rather than the action.

may experience growth

Suggests a natural process of increase or development.

FAQs

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

Use "could be increased" to express the possibility of something growing in size, amount, or intensity. For example, "The efficiency of the process "could be increased" with better technology".

What are some alternatives to "could be increased"?

Alternatives include phrases like "might be raised", "may be augmented", or "can be elevated", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "could be increase" grammatically correct?

No, "could be increase" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is ""could be increased"", using the past participle form of the verb.

What does "could be increased" imply?

The phrase ""could be increased"" suggests that there is potential for growth or enhancement, but it is not a certainty. It indicates a conditional possibility.