could be noticed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be noticed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is capable of being observed or detected by someone. Example: "The subtle changes in her behavior could be noticed by her close friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The bridging of divides could be noticed everywhere in the city where there was need.

The New York Times

But you could be noticed in your work life, so you sublimated a lot into that.

The Guardian

It could be noticed that the value decreased while the applied frequency increased.

Nanoscale Research Letters

For all the samples, the presence of strong OH- vibration peak could be noticed.

Nanoscale Research Letters

It could be noticed that the method is more appropriate for short messages such as tweets.

Security Informatics

An important gain could be noticed whatever the approach we used.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

For all samples, the presence of a strong OH vibration peak could be noticed.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Therefore, the greatest changes could be noticed within the first week.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

A significant difference in the appearance of the adsorbent surfaces could be noticed.

Applied Water Science

A significant increase in performance could be noticed accompanied with a clear change in the mechanism of the evolution reaction.

Electrochimica Acta

After 1000 cycles of continuous charge discharge cycles, only about 1.3% degradation in specific capacitance could be noticed.

Electrochimica Acta

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could be noticed" in contexts where you want to emphasize the potential for something to be observed or detected, often subtly. For instance, "subtle improvements could be noticed over time".

Common error

While "could be noticed" is grammatically correct, avoid overusing passive constructions. Active voice often makes your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "The error could be noticed by anyone", consider "Anyone could notice the error".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be noticed" functions as a passive construction, indicating the potential for observation or detection. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, highlighting its role in describing something that is capable of being observed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

86%

News & Media

12%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could be noticed" is a grammatically sound passive construction widely used to express the potential for something to be observed. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It is most frequently found in scientific and news contexts, reflecting a neutral to formal register. While versatile, overuse of the passive voice should be avoided. Alternatives like "might be observed" or "can be seen" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. This phrase provides a useful tool for expressing potential observations subtly and effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be observed

Changes "could" to "might", softening the certainty of the possibility.

can be seen

Replaces "could be noticed" with a more direct and straightforward observation.

may be detected

Substitutes "noticed" with "detected", implying a more formal or scientific observation.

can be detected

Emphasizes the possibility of detection.

might be perceived

Replaces "noticed" with "perceived", focusing on subjective sensory experience.

can be discerned

Implies a careful or insightful observation.

may be observed

Suggests a formal observation, indicating possibility without certainty.

is potentially visible

Focuses on the visual aspect and potential for something to be seen.

is capable of being observed

Presents a more verbose and formal version of the original phrase.

is liable to be seen

Indicates a probability or tendency for something to be observed.

FAQs

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

"Could be noticed" indicates something has the potential to be observed. For example, "A slight change in temperature "could be noticed" with sensitive equipment."

What are some alternatives to "could be noticed"?

Alternatives include "might be observed", "can be seen", or "may be detected", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with phrases like "could be noticed"?

While "could be noticed" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can weaken your writing. Consider if an active voice construction, such as "someone could notice", would be more effective.

What's the difference between "could be noticed" and "could be observed"?

While similar, "could be observed" often implies a more formal or scientific context, whereas ""could be noticed"" is more general and can refer to more casual observations.