could be regained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be regained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility of recovering something that was lost or diminished, such as health, trust, or resources. Example: "After the setback, the team believed that their previous momentum could be regained with the right strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The equally nationalistic Mr Papadopoulos believed that the prestige associated with ancient Greece could be regained by decree.

The Economist

I wrote The Tin Drum partly to counter the received view that these lands could be regained.

The Guardian

There was nothing secret about Leicester's plan for success, they allowed opponents a lot of the ball and relied on defenders staying in defensive areas to repel attacks until possession could be regained and their speed merchants in forward positions could be brought into play, but even the best sides found it a difficult gameplan to counter.

The Guardian - Sport

Over 50% of the chlorine lost after UVA irradiation could be regained upon rechlorination.

Applied Surface Science

Due to the sensory supply reaching the flap dorsally, sensibility in the reconstructed region could be regained in all patients.

International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

The advisors examined around 1,000 different bonds on ING's books and the corresponding American real estate and zip codes underlying the securities, to determine the risk of default and what percentage of the original investment could be regained.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Nigerian experts have voiced concern that the army could be regaining a foothold in politics by increasing involvement in policing.

The New York Times

A drop in defaults is a sign that customers could be regaining their financial footing after the recession, which led to widespread defaults on mortgages, home equity loans and credit cards.

Huffington Post

The loss in taxes could easily be regained if another company moved into Texaco's Harrison headquarters.

The New York Times

They will not remember the pure happiness of their vision because if they did the memory would grow until it overshadowed and spoiled the rest of their lives with the knowledge that it could never be regained.

The Guardian - Books

I would realise later, after two months of never being without a relative near me, just how much had been lost during all those years away from one another, how much could never be regained, and at the same time just how easy it was for a family to claim you as one of its own – and how much I wanted to be claimed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could be regained", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being regained and the conditions or actions that make regaining possible.

Common error

Avoid using "could be regained" when an active voice construction is more appropriate and direct. For example, instead of "the lost momentum could be regained by the team", consider "the team could regain the lost momentum".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be regained" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating a possibility that something lost can be recovered. As Ludwig AI notes, it is used to discuss the potential for recovering something that was lost. Examples include regaining trust, momentum, or lost resources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could be regained" is a grammatically sound passive construction used to express the possibility of recovering something lost. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability in a variety of contexts. While not exceedingly common, its usage spans across scientific, news, and business domains. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity about what is being regained and the circumstances facilitating its recovery. Keep in mind that alternatives like "might be recovered" or "could be restored" offer subtle variations in meaning and can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be recovered

Replaces "could" with "might", suggesting a slightly lower probability of recovery.

could be restored

Substitutes "regained" with "restored", emphasizing the return to a previous state.

could be retrieved

Uses "retrieved" instead of "regained", implying the act of finding and bringing something back.

could be won back

Replaces "regained" with "won back", suggesting effort is needed to recover something.

could be reclaimed

Substitutes "regained" with "reclaimed", implying the assertion of a right or claim to something.

might be reacquired

Replaces "could" with "might" and "regained" with "reacquired", suggesting the possibility of obtaining something again.

could be recuperated

Uses "recuperated" instead of "regained", focusing on recovering from a loss or depletion.

is potentially recoverable

Changes the structure to an adjective phrase, emphasizing the potential for recovery.

offers a chance for restoration

Shifts the focus to the opportunity for restoration rather than the act itself.

presents a possibility of recovery

Highlights the existence of a possibility for recovery, distancing from a statement about a specific instance of regaining something.

FAQs

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

Use "could be regained" to express the possibility of recovering something lost or diminished. For example, "After the company's restructuring, its market share "could be regained" through aggressive marketing campaigns."

What are some alternatives to "could be regained"?

Alternatives include "might be recovered", "could be restored", or "could be retrieved" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "could be regained" grammatically correct?

Yes, "could be regained" is grammatically correct. It uses the modal verb "could" in conjunction with the passive form of the verb "regain". Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is usable in written English.

What is the difference between "could be regained" and "can be regained"?

"Could be regained" suggests a possibility or potential, while "can be regained" indicates a higher degree of certainty or ability. "Could" implies conditionality, whereas "can" implies capability.