could be reversed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be reversed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation or condition that has the potential to be turned back to a previous state or order. Example: "The effects of the treatment could be reversed if the patient stops taking the medication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

— could be reversed.

The New Yorker

But that deal could be reversed.

The New York Times

Many key advancements in modern medicine could be reversed.

The New Yorker

It could be reversed again in six or seven days".

The New York Times - Sports

House price increases could be reversed, and banks would suddenly look very exposed again.

The Guardian - Opinion

There was no obvious way in which the impossible could be reversed.

The New Yorker

What was unexpected was how quickly this infertility could be reversed.

The New York Times - Health

And potentially the first-term increases could be reversed by 2017/18," she said.

The Guardian - Business

This could be reversed, he suggested, by "taking control of our own destiny" outside the EU.

The Guardian

This trend of passing costs to the public could be reversed with institutional volume purchases.

The New York Times

If Labour does not make the public argument for social justice, this could be reversed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could be reversed" when you want to express the possibility of undoing or changing a situation, decision, or process back to a previous state. For example, "The policy changes could be reversed if there's a change in leadership".

Common error

While "could be reversed" is generally acceptable, overuse in very formal or academic writing may reduce clarity. Consider stronger, more direct verbs like "overturned", "repealed", or "rescinded" for enhanced precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be reversed" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating a possibility or potential for something to be undone or changed back to a previous state. Ludwig examples show its usage in various contexts like legal decisions, scientific effects and policy changes, demonstrating its ability to modify different types of situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

41%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could be reversed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used modal passive construction that expresses the possibility of something being undone or reverted. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, from news and media to scientific research. While generally neutral in register, it leans toward formal and is best suited for expressing contingency or uncertainty. Alternatives like "might be undone" or "can be overturned" offer similar meanings but with slightly different nuances. When writing, be mindful of the context to ensure the most precise and impactful choice of words.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be undone

Suggests a potential action to cancel something.

can be overturned

Focuses on decisions or verdicts being revoked.

may be repealed

Implies the potential cancellation of a law or regulation.

is subject to cancellation

Highlights the condition that something may be stopped.

is liable to be revoked

Implies a higher probability of cancellation.

is open to being rescinded

Focuses on the possibility of retracting or nullifying something.

is capable of being inverted

Emphasizes the ability to change something to its opposite.

might get reverted

Suggests a possible return to a previous state or version.

can potentially be nullified

Refers to actions which could be made invalid.

is apt to be invalidated

Hints that the decision could be deemed worthless or without value.

FAQs

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

You can use "could be reversed" to indicate the possibility of an action or situation being undone. For example, "The decision "could be reversed" on appeal", or "These effects "could be reversed" with treatment".

What are some alternatives to "could be reversed"?

Some alternatives to "could be reversed" include "might be undone", "can be overturned", or "may be repealed", depending on the specific context.

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

Both "could be reversed" and "can be reversed" are grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "Could be reversed" suggests a possibility, while "can be reversed" implies an ability or capability.

What's the difference between "could be reversed" and "could have been reversed"?

"Could be reversed" indicates a present or future possibility, while "could have been reversed" indicates a past possibility that did not occur. For example, "The decision "could be reversed"" means it's still possible to change it, whereas "The decision could have been reversed" means it was possible in the past, but it did not happen.