could be protected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be protected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the potential for safeguarding something, whether it be a concept, idea, or physical object. Example: "The sensitive information in the database could be protected by implementing stronger security measures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Consumers could be protected from this.

The New York Times

Maybe their life savings could be protected.

The New York Times - Magazine

"You could be protected," Pruitt said.

The New Yorker

Mashups and remixes could be protected by law.

MIT Technology Review

The PCB design could be considered intellectual property and could be protected under law.

Cornell University

But Arizona is expected to gain two Congressional seats, which both could be protected in reapportionment.

The New York Times

"I think there is ample evidence the public could be protected," Mr. Slobodien said.

The New York Times

He added that it was important that children could be protected from "politically motivated industrial action".

The Guardian

Researchers also found that girls could be protected against HIV infection by being lifted from poverty.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Hugh Robertson, the sports minister, said he was absolutely confident the course could be protected.

The New York Times - Sports

The belief that big euro-zone countries could be protected from attack has been disproved.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could be protected", ensure that the context clearly indicates what actions or measures would provide the protection. Be specific about potential threats and protective strategies.

Common error

Avoid using "could be protected" when the protection is guaranteed or already in place. Opt for stronger terms like "is protected" or "will be protected" to reflect the actual level of security.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be protected" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a potential or conditional state of being protected. It suggests that protection is possible, but not guaranteed. This aligns with Ludwig AI analysis and examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be protected" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates the possibility of safeguarding something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile and appears across diverse contexts, from news and science to business and general knowledge. When using this phrase, clarity is key; specify the conditions or actions needed to achieve the potential protection. Remember that it implies a conditional state, not a guaranteed one.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be safeguarded

Suggests a slightly lower probability or certainty of protection compared to "could be protected".

may be defended

Emphasizes the act of actively defending against a threat rather than simply being protected.

can be secured

Focuses on the process of making something safe and secure.

is potentially shielded

Highlights the idea of being sheltered or screened from harm.

is possibly preserved

Shifts the focus to maintaining something in its current state, guarding it from damage or change.

is liable to be preserved

Indicates a high likelihood or tendency of being kept safe or maintained.

has the potential to be preserved

Highlights that something has the capacity or possibility to be kept safe or maintained.

is able to be sheltered

Highlights the ability or capacity to be protected from harm or adverse conditions.

can be kept safe

Focuses on actively keeping something in a secure and unharmed condition.

is capable of being defended

Emphasizes the inherent ability or capacity of something to be actively defended or protected.

FAQs

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

Use "could be protected" to describe a potential for safeguarding something if certain conditions are met or actions are taken. For example, "Data "could be protected" with encryption".

What are some alternatives to "could be protected"?

You can use alternatives such as "might be safeguarded", "can be secured", or "may be defended" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "can be protected" instead of "could be protected"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "can be protected" suggests a higher degree of certainty or ability compared to ""could be protected"", which implies a possibility or potential.

What does "could be protected" imply about the level of certainty?

"Could be protected" suggests a possibility, not a guarantee. It implies that protection is achievable under certain conditions or with specific actions, but it is not currently assured.