could be positioned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be positioned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the potential placement or arrangement of something in a specific context or scenario. Example: "The new furniture could be positioned in various ways to optimize the space in the living room."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Farah could be positioned as the bad guy.

The Guardian - Sport

"They could be positioned anywhere and a display usually consisted of 4-6 of them.

The Guardian - Sport

Suppose that US forces could be positioned secretly, and that President Moon were on board.

The Guardian

"It could well be that marines could be positioned in any place inside the country, or Army forces could be positioned at another forward operating base at some point," General Franks said.

The New York Times

But it was disabled with an RPG before it could be positioned to fire its powerful gun.

The New York Times

Microcages were designed based on experimental data of ovule growth so that ovules could be positioned inside the cage and observed in real time.

Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical

This hypotheses propose knotless barbed suture could be positioned as a tension-free trans-vaginal sling under the mid-urethra without vaginal incision.

Medical Hypotheses

Also, the radiators required for eliminating waste heat could be positioned in areas of continuous darkness, where the heat could be dissipated into space.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Taken together, these factors mean that Russia's cheap shares could be positioned for a nice rebound if global risk appetite recovers a bit.

The New York Times

As a result, a future improvement would be to either use external switches which could be positioned near the LED's on the breadboard, or to use LED's which are also switches themselves.

Cornell University

It was found that the two independent emotional dimensions of a soundscape relate to its "Calmness" and "Vibrancy", and these could be positioned to describe a 2-Dimensional (2-D) perceptual space.

Applied Acoustics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could be positioned" when you want to express a possibility or potential arrangement, not a definitive placement. For example, "The sensors could be positioned to detect even the slightest movements."

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on the passive voice with "could be positioned". Instead, consider using the active voice to make your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "The team could be positioned by the manager", try "The manager could position the team".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be positioned" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing possibility combined with the passive voice. This suggests a potential arrangement or placement, emphasizing that something has the ability or option to be placed in a certain way. Ludwig confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

33%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be positioned" is a versatile phrase used to express potential placement or arrangement. It is grammatically sound and frequently used across diverse contexts, including science, news, and academia. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in English. When writing, consider the passive voice implications and choose active voice alternatives for directness when appropriate. Remember, it's a great way to suggest possibilities, but not to define absolute placements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be placed

Suggests a possibility of placement, similar to "could be positioned" but with a slightly less formal tone.

can be located

Emphasizes the ability to find something in a specific place.

may be situated

Implies a formal or geographical placement.

could be situated

Indicates possibility of being situated at a specific location or condition.

can be arranged

Focuses on the act of organizing or setting up.

might be set

Emphasizes setting something in a specified arrangement.

can be established

Conveys a sense of permanence or confirmation in placement.

may be aligned

Highlights the aspect of arranging objects in a line or in proper order.

can be stationed

Emphasizes placing something or someone at a specific post or duty.

might be installed

Implies a setup operation to have something connected and ready for use.

FAQs

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

Use "could be positioned" to indicate a potential or hypothetical placement. For example, "The new security cameras could be positioned to cover all entrances."

What can I say instead of "could be positioned"?

You can use alternatives like "might be placed", "can be located", or "may be situated" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "could be positioned" or "can be positioned"?

"Could be positioned" implies a possibility or suggestion, while "can be positioned" implies an ability or permission. The best choice depends on the specific meaning you intend to convey.

What's the difference between "could be positioned" and "should be positioned"?

"Could be positioned" suggests a possibility or a potential arrangement. "Should be positioned", on the other hand, expresses a recommendation or obligation. For example, "The chairs could be positioned differently" suggests an option, while "The chairs should be positioned for optimal viewing" implies a preferred arrangement.