could be makes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be makes" is not correct in written English.
It appears to be a combination of two phrases that do not work together grammatically. Example: "The outcome could be makes a significant difference in the project." (This example is incorrect.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

And the argument does little to show that other possible worlds are concreta; talking of them as ways things could be makes them sound like properties, which are arguably abstracta if they exist at all.

SEP

Picabia's art was radically experimental and his persistent questioning of what art was and what it could be makes him a particularly relevant touchstone for artists working today".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Gestures could be made.

The New Yorker

Switching could be made easier.

The Economist

But some changes could be made immediately.

The Guardian

The governor could be making it easier.

The New York Times

An entire group could be made invisible.

The New Yorker

Such changes could be made at once.

The Economist

The entire Gulf could be made uninhabitable.

The New York Times

We could be making love before noon.

The New Yorker

Shampoo Could be making you fat?!

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to express possibility combined with action, ensure your sentence follows standard grammatical structure. Replace the incorrect "could be makes" with "could make" or similar alternatives to maintain clarity and correctness.

Common error

Avoid combining the modal verb "could be" with a verb form that doesn't follow standard English grammar. "Could be" is correctly followed by a past participle (e.g., "could be made") or a present participle (e.g., "could be making"), but not typically a third person singular present simple verb.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be makes" is an incorrect construction attempting to express possibility and action. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically flawed, suggesting a misunderstanding of modal verb usage. Standard English requires a different structure to convey the intended meaning effectively.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could be makes" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing and speech. As indicated by Ludwig AI, this phrase improperly combines a modal verb with a verb form, leading to a flawed construction. While its intended meaning might be to express a potential action or outcome, it fails to do so effectively due to its grammatical error. Instead, use grammatically correct alternatives such as "could make", "could be making", or other similar phrases to clearly and accurately convey your intended meaning. Despite appearing in sources like The New Yorker and The Economist, the phrase's incorrect grammar underscores the importance of careful language use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could make

Changes the structure to a correct modal verb construction, focusing on the action that is possible.

could potentially make

Adds emphasis to the potential of making something happen, using an adverb to strengthen the possibility.

might create

Replaces "be makes" with a different verb that expresses creation or origination, keeping the sense of possibility.

may produce

Similar to 'might create' but uses a different verb, suitable for more formal contexts.

could lead to

Focuses on the consequence of a potential action, shifting from the action itself to its result.

could result in

Similar to "could lead to" but emphasizes the outcome more directly.

might generate

Suggests the possible creation of something, often used when discussing ideas or solutions.

can bring about

Emphasizes the ability to cause or initiate something, offering a slightly stronger sense of potential.

could give rise to

Highlights the start or emergence of something, more formal and specific than "could lead to".

can potentially form

Specifies the formation of something as a possible outcome, suitable for contexts where creation or structure is important.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "could be makes"?

Replace "could be makes" with grammatically correct alternatives like "could make" or "could be making" depending on the intended meaning.

What does "could be makes" incorrectly imply?

The phrase attempts to combine the possibility implied by "could be" with an action, but it does so in a grammatically incorrect way. It might be trying to express potential action or creation, but the syntax is flawed.

Is there a context where "could be makes" is grammatically acceptable?

No, "could be makes" is generally not grammatically correct in standard English. It's a combination of modal and verb forms that doesn't follow established grammatical rules.

What are some alternatives to "could be makes" that convey the intended meaning?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "could create", "might produce", or "could result in" to express possibility and action correctly.