could be of death

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be of death" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a possibility related to death, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "The situation could be of death if precautions are not taken."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"It could be of death or it could be some other punishment," Mr. Ahmad said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Generally, "a human being could no more be accused of some vice than he could be accused of death, for he could avoid the one as little as the other" (p. 336).

SEP

These could be fear of death and severe symptomology [ 59], AIDS-related stigma [ 60] and lower quality of life [ 61].

BMC Public Health

P11: I perceive myself as much calmer since I got this; before I could be afraid of death and that's all gone.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Female (SEIQoL-DW, think aloud) P11: I perceive myself as much calmer since I got this; before I could be afraid of death and that's all gone.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

This may be the salvation of newspapers, but it could be the death of many journalists.

The Guardian

Losing your single status or even worse, getting pregnant, could be the death of your career, your sense of freedom and the claims to yourself.

Huffington Post

They may be well intended, but this bill could be death of our effort to make Montana a reliably Republican state," he wrote.

Huffington Post

I think it could be the death of sidewalk cafes.

The New York Times

"This could be the death of Nassau County so far as our services are concerned".

The New York Times

He said conservative punks "could be the death of punk rock".

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer more direct and common phrases such as "could be fatal" or "might lead to death" for clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "could be of death" in formal writing. It sounds unnatural and can confuse readers. Reword your sentence to use a more common expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be of death" functions to express a potential outcome involving death. Ludwig AI indicates that while understandable, this phrasing is not ideal, suggesting that alternative expressions might be more appropriate for conveying the intended meaning. The phrase seems to describe a possible consequence, though indirectly.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "could be of death" is understandable, it is not the most grammatically sound or frequently used expression. Ludwig AI's analysis suggests that more direct alternatives like "could be fatal" or "might lead to death" are generally preferred for clarity and impact. Although it appears in both News & Media and Science, the phrase's uncommon nature suggests writers should opt for more conventional wording to avoid potential confusion or awkwardness. When choosing between different phrasing options, always consider your audience, the situation, and the desired tone of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be fatal

This alternative directly conveys the potential for causing death.

might result in death

This phrase expresses the possibility of death as a consequence.

could lead to death

This option highlights the progression towards a fatal outcome.

could cause death

This alternative focuses on the act of causing death.

could prove deadly

This phrase uses an adjective to describe the potential for causing death.

might bring about death

This option suggests a more indirect or causative relationship with death.

could spell the end

This idiomatic expression conveys a final and negative outcome.

could be the death knell

This phrase uses "death knell" as a sign of the end of something, not necessarily physical death.

could have lethal consequences

This option broadens the impact to include any lethal results, not just death itself.

could be life-threatening

This alternative emphasizes the danger to life, but not necessarily resulting in death.

FAQs

How can I use a similar phrase to "could be of death" in a sentence?

Instead of "could be of death", consider using phrases like "could be fatal", "might lead to death", or "could cause death" for clearer communication.

What are some alternatives to "could be of death"?

Alternatives include "could be fatal", "could prove deadly", and "might result in death". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "could be of death"?

While understandable, "could be of death" is not the most natural or grammatically sound phrasing. It's better to use alternatives like "could be fatal" or "might lead to death".

What's the difference between "could be of death" and "could be fatal"?

"Could be fatal" is a more direct and commonly used phrase to express the potential for causing death. "Could be of death" is less common and can sound awkward.