could be reimbursed

USAGE SUMMARY

"could be reimbursed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means that someone has the potential to be paid back for something they have spent or lost money on. It can be used in various situations, such as in a formal letter, an email, or a business document. Example: "Please keep all of your receipts for the conference expenses, as they could be reimbursed by the company at a later date."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

But Mr. Suozzi noted that police department overtime, which could be reimbursed, is far more costly than snow removal.

The New York Times

A year later, the foundation started a livestock insurance program so villagers could be reimbursed for their losses.

The Guardian

The rules said the law left open the possibility that parents could be reimbursed for private school, even if their child had never attended public school.

The New York Times

But lawmakers did not remove a cap on the aggregate amount that hospice providers could be reimbursed each year, a measure designed to contain the program's cost.

The New York Times

But if the program receives federal approval to participate in the waiver program, expenses not traditionally reimbursed by Medicaid could be reimbursed.

The New York Times - Health

Sanders said that Donald Trump had asked that she keep a full accounting of the lies she told during the shutdown so that she could be reimbursed for them later, but she turned down that offer.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Officials had pointed out to him that this type of expense could not be reimbursed.

The Economist

Any witnesses in the criminal case against Mena could possibly be reimbursed after the case concludes, Benavides said in an email.

Los Angeles Times

Participants could additionally be reimbursed travel costs for attending the face-to-face assessment sessions.

Clinical Psychological Science

Patients with severe COPD (with forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) less than 50% predicted by spirometry) could also be reimbursed, but only after a special and individual application.

European Journal of General Practice

Because a single child's services could not be reimbursed more than once during a three-month period, this numerator number of visits was equivalent to the number of children who received preventive dental services.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about policies or procedures, use "could be reimbursed" to clearly state the possibility of getting money back, not a guarantee. For example, "Travel expenses could be reimbursed if receipts are submitted within 30 days."

Common error

Avoid using "could be reimbursed" when you mean to guarantee payment. The phrase implies a possibility, not a certainty. If reimbursement is guaranteed, use stronger language such as "will be reimbursed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be reimbursed" functions as a passive modal construction. It indicates that something (typically an expense or cost) has the potential to be paid back. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this construction is used in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could be reimbursed" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate the possibility of receiving payment for incurred expenses. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase appears frequently in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to remember that it conveys a possibility, not a guarantee. Related phrases like "may be repaid" or ""might be refunded"" carry a similar meaning. Ensure clear communication by specifying any conditions or requirements for reimbursement to avoid misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may be repaid

Replaces "could" with "may", indicating a possibility of repayment.

might be refunded

Substitutes "could" with "might" and "reimbursed" with "refunded", suggesting a potential return of money.

is eligible for reimbursement

Changes the modal verb construction to an adjective phrase, focusing on eligibility.

qualifies for compensation

Replaces "reimbursed" with "compensation", implying a broader sense of recompense.

can be compensated

Replaces "reimbursed" with "compensated", changing the verb while keeping the modal verb construction.

can be paid back

Uses the phrasal verb "paid back" instead of "reimbursed", making it more informal.

is entitled to a refund

Shifts the focus to entitlement and uses the noun "refund" instead of the verb "reimbursed".

has a right to reimbursement

Emphasizes the legal aspect using "right" and the noun form "reimbursement".

is subject to being reimbursed

Indicates that something is under the condition of potentially being reimbursed.

can receive compensation

Focuses on the action of receiving the compensation, rather than the act of reimbursing.

FAQs

What does "could be reimbursed" mean?

The phrase "could be reimbursed" means there is a possibility that expenses or costs will be paid back to the person who incurred them. It does not guarantee reimbursement.

When should I use "could be reimbursed" in a sentence?

Use "could be reimbursed" when you want to express that there is a chance of getting money back for an expense, but it's not guaranteed. For example, "These expenses "might be refunded" if you provide receipts."

What's the difference between "could be reimbursed" and "will be reimbursed"?

"Could be reimbursed" suggests a possibility, while "will be reimbursed" implies a certainty. "Will be reimbursed" means the payment is guaranteed, whereas "could be reimbursed" means it depends on certain conditions being met.

What are some alternatives to "could be reimbursed"?

Alternatives include phrases like "may be repaid", ""might be refunded"", or "is eligible for reimbursement", depending on the specific context and degree of certainty you want to convey.