could be lowered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be lowered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the potential for something to be reduced or decreased, such as prices, levels, or limits. Example: "The temperature in the room could be lowered to create a more comfortable environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Standards of proof could be lowered.

The New York Times

This could be lowered again, to 0.15% or 0.1%.

The Economist

There's also the possibility that the 6.5% target could be lowered.

The Guardian - Business

But growth in future years could be lowered – underlining the fragile nature of the recovery.

The Guardian

Policy makers said the forecast could be lowered further if the global economy continued to weaken.

The New York Times

And scorching city temperatures could be lowered by 5 degrees each summer if enough urbanites start seeding away.

The New York Times

The holdings could be lowered either through other acquisitions, which would dilute the stake, or through a sale of shares.

The New York Times

But only one company said it could assure that the three-ton busts could be lowered to the ground safely.

The New York Times

"If the home has been upgraded, there will less likely be a loss and premiums could be lowered," he said.

The New York Times

Natland reasoned that "thermal devices" could be lowered into the limestone beneath the tar sands and exploded.

The New Yorker

The organisation goes on to suggest a number of ways in which poverty rates could be lowered through housing policy.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical or scientific writing, employ "could be lowered" when referring to quantifiable metrics such as temperature, pressure, or error rates to indicate potential optimization.

Common error

Avoid using "could be lowered" when you mean something must be lowered. "Could" implies a possibility, not a certainty. Use "should be lowered" or "must be lowered" to express necessity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be lowered" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a possibility or potential for something to be reduced. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable, and it's found in various contexts showing its flexibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

40%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could be lowered" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to suggest the possibility of reducing something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's deemed correct and appears frequently in various contexts, including News & Media and Science, indicating its broad applicability. When using "could be lowered", ensure that the context implies a possibility rather than a necessity. For alternative phrasing, consider "might be reduced" or "can be lessened" based on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be decreased

Change in wording, replacing "lowered" with a direct synonym "decreased".

might be reduced

Modal verb changed from "could" to "might", and "lowered" replaced with "reduced".

can be lessened

"Could" replaced with "can", and "lowered" replaced with "lessened", implying a reduction in impact or intensity.

may be diminished

"Could" replaced with "may", and "lowered" replaced with "diminished", suggesting a decrease in significance or size.

is potentially reduced

Rephrasing using "is potentially" instead of "could be", with "lowered" substituted by "reduced".

can undergo reduction

Restructuring the sentence to emphasize the process of reduction rather than the state of being lowered.

might see a decrease

Using a more descriptive verb phrase "might see a decrease" instead of directly stating the possibility of being lowered.

is susceptible to reduction

Indicating vulnerability to being reduced, shifting the focus to the susceptibility.

faces potential curtailment

Emphasizing a potential limitation or restriction, replacing "lowered" with "curtailment".

is subject to being decreased

Adding formality by stating that something is subject to being decreased.

FAQs

How do I use "could be lowered" in a sentence?

The phrase "could be lowered" suggests a possibility for something to be reduced or decreased. For example: "The price "could be lowered" if production costs decrease."

What is a good alternative to "could be lowered"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "might be reduced", "can be lessened", or "may be diminished".

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

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "could be lowered" implies a possibility or suggestion, while "can be lowered" indicates a potential ability or capability. The choice depends on the intended nuance.

What does "could be lowered" imply about the subject being discussed?

It implies that the subject in question is at a level or quantity that is potentially higher than desired or necessary, and that there is an opportunity or a way to bring it down to a more acceptable or optimal level.