could be omitted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'could be omitted' is correct and is frequently used in written English.
You can use it to state that something is not necessary or is optional. For example, "That section of the paper could be omitted if desired."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Should it do so, pre-operative duplex marking could be omitted.

EJVES Extra

The use of schematic images for scientific explanation meant that non-essential elements could be omitted.

Nature

Thus, compared with the conventional ethylbenzene synthesis route, the transalkylation reactor could be omitted in this novel industrial process.

Journal of Natural Gas Chemistry

Based on the temperature curve achieved under fuzzy logic control, a simple linear control method was further developed where zNose™ online assistance could be omitted.

LWT - Food Science and Technology

Therefore, and due to variable operating conditions of the suction units built into a vacuum cleaner, it could be omitted or replaced by a vaneless one.

Applied Acoustics

"From him, I gradually realized that to be a good physicist — brave ideas and detailed work, none of them could be omitted," Wang said.

Princeton University

No last names were to be used in the article I wrote about them; they also asked if identifying details about their high schools could be omitted.

The New York Times

A redundancy of 50 percent means that roughly half the letters in a sentence could be omitted and the message still be reconstructable.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The structure of The Scarlet Letter, for example, is so tightly integrated that no chapter, no paragraph, even, could be omitted without doing violence to the whole.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In late planning the laboratory cost could be omitted.

3D Printing in Medicine

Note that the third party could be omitted when using verifiable computing [25, 26].

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could be omitted", ensure it's clear why the element is optional or unnecessary. Provide context for better understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "could be omitted" without specifying the conditions or reasons for the omission. Always provide a rationale to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be omitted" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating possibility or permission for something to be left out. As seen in Ludwig, it's frequently used to suggest that a particular element is not essential. For instance, "pre-operative duplex marking could be omitted" suggests this step isn't always necessary.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

95%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could be omitted" is a common and grammatically correct expression that suggests something is optional or unnecessary. Ludwig AI highlights its frequent use in scientific and academic contexts, where it serves to offer flexibility or suggest non-essential elements in a procedure or document. While generally formal, the phrase's clarity makes it broadly applicable. Remember to provide context when using "could be omitted" to avoid ambiguity and ensure the rationale behind the suggestion is clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is optional

Substitutes the modal verb construction with an adjective indicating that something is not mandatory.

could be skipped

Changes the verb from 'omitted' to 'skipped', implying a more casual or quicker removal.

may be left out

Uses 'left out' instead of 'omitted', suggesting a passive exclusion.

can be excluded

Replaces 'omitted' with 'excluded', implying a deliberate act of keeping something out.

can be disregarded

Replaces 'omitted' with 'disregarded', emphasizing that something is not important or relevant.

need not be included

Changes the structure to a negative necessity, emphasizing that something does not have to be present.

is not required

Substitutes the modal verb construction with a direct statement of necessity.

is unnecessary

Simplifies the phrase to an adjective indicating a lack of need.

may be dispensed with

Uses 'dispensed with' instead of 'omitted', suggesting that something is no longer needed.

can be avoided

Replaces 'omitted' with 'avoided', implying that something is deliberately not done or included.

FAQs

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

Use "could be omitted" to indicate that something is optional or not necessary. For example, "This section "could be omitted" if space is limited."

What are some alternatives to "could be omitted"?

Alternatives include "could be skipped", "may be left out", or "is optional", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "could be omitted" or "can be skipped"?

"Could be omitted" generally carries a more formal tone, suitable for academic or professional writing. "Can be skipped" is more informal and appropriate for casual contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "could be omitted" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to suggest that a particular element is not essential and its absence won't significantly detract from the overall message or quality. For example, a paragraph in a report "could be omitted" if it repeats information already presented.