could be located

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be located" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the potential or possibility of finding something in a specific place or context. Example: "The missing documents could be located in the archives, but we need to check thoroughly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not every classic could be located for the festival.

The New York Times

No representative of the foundation could be located for comment.

The New York Times

"I don't know where else the problem could be located," Mrs. W says. "It could be located in your apartment".

The New Yorker

The presentations could be located through searches of patients' names.

Yale University

Neither Mr. Israel nor Mr. Stephanowicz could be located on Monday.

The New York Times

Neither Mr. Allen nor Mr. Meyer could be located for comment.

The New York Times

No lawyer for Mr. Mohamed could be located yesterday for comment.

The New York Times

Polish regrets could be located in how they failed to make their flying start count.

The Guardian - Sport

This suggests that regulatory elements could be located in the 3′-UTR.

Nature

No attorney for her could be located, and it was unclear whether she has one.

The Washington Post

Neither Sir Philip nor Mr. van de Vijver could be located for comment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could be located" when indicating a possibility or potential for finding something, rather than a certainty. For example, "The error in the code could be located in the main module."

Common error

While "could be located" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make writing sound vague. Consider using active voice when appropriate for clarity. Instead of "The source of the leak could be located by the team", try "The team could locate the source of the leak."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be located" functions as a passive construction indicating the potential or possibility of finding or determining the position of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be located" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that expresses the possibility of finding something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate in various contexts, particularly in science, news, and academia. When using this phrase, remember that it indicates potential rather than certainty. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "may be situated". While "could be located" is versatile, be mindful of overusing passive voice. Consider switching to active voice for clearer communication when appropriate. The phrase enjoys considerable usage across authoritative sources, making it a reliable choice for expressing potential location.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be situated

Emphasizes the potential position or placement of something.

may be found

Focuses on the chance of discovering something.

can be detected

Highlights the ability to identify or notice something.

is potentially situated

Stresses the possibility of a specific location.

may be identified

Focuses on the possibility of recognizing or determining something.

can be pinpointed

Indicates the ability to find the exact position of something.

is possibly situated

Emphasizes that the location is uncertain but plausible.

might be discovered

Focuses on the potential for uncovering something.

can be identified

Highlights the capability of recognizing something.

is possibly detected

Focuses on the uncertainty of detecting something.

FAQs

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

You can use "could be located" to express the possibility of finding something. For example, "The missing file could be located on the server" indicates that it's possible the file is on the server.

What's a synonym for "could be located"?

A synonym for "could be located" is "might be found". Both phrases suggest a possibility of finding something.

How does "could be located" differ from "is located"?

"Could be located" implies uncertainty or possibility, whereas "is located" states a fact. For example, "The treasure could be located on the island" suggests a possibility, while "The treasure is located on the island" confirms its location.

What are some alternatives to "could be located" in a formal context?

In a formal context, you can use phrases like "may be situated" or "can be detected" instead of "could be located".