could be right

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be right" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing uncertainty about the correctness of a statement or opinion, suggesting that there is a possibility of it being true. Example: "While I have my doubts about the theory, I acknowledge that he could be right."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It could be right.

The Economist

They could be right.

The New York Times

Could be right behind".

The New Yorker

Mancini could be right.

The New York Times - Sports

That could be right.

The New York Times

He could be right.

The New York Times - Arts

She could be right.

The New York Times - Sports

The newspaper could be right.

The New York Times

Strictly both could be right.

The Economist

The marchers could be right.

The New Yorker

Mr. Saunders could be right.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could be right", consider adding a conditional clause to provide context or explain the circumstances under which the statement might hold true. For example, "This strategy could be right if the market conditions remain stable."

Common error

Avoid using "could be right" excessively without offering any supporting evidence or context. Overuse can make your writing seem indecisive or lacking in substance. Always provide a rationale or condition to strengthen your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be right" functions as an epistemic modal, indicating a degree of possibility or uncertainty. It expresses that something is potentially correct or true, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Sports

11%

Arts

6%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could be right" is a versatile and commonly used epistemic modal that expresses a degree of possibility or tentative agreement. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media but also appears in sports and arts-related content. While there are several semantically related alternatives, such as "might be correct" and "may be accurate", it's crucial to provide sufficient context when using "could be right" to avoid ambiguity. Overall, this phrase serves as a valuable tool for nuanced communication and expressing conditional possibilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be true

Directly expresses the possibility of something being factual.

might be correct

Indicates a similar level of possibility but uses "might" instead of "could".

possibly correct

Emphasizes the possibility of correctness.

may be accurate

Suggests a similar level of possibility, focusing on accuracy.

it's plausible

Indicates that something is believable or could be true.

might hold true

Suggests that something may remain valid or correct.

conceivably accurate

Suggests something is within the realm of possibility to be accurate.

perhaps accurate

Indicates a tentative agreement or possibility of being accurate.

it's a possibility

Highlights the potential for something to be the case.

that's a possibility

Affirms something as a potential outcome or truth.

FAQs

How to use "could be right" in a sentence?

Use "could be right" to express that something is possibly correct or true. For example, "While I disagree with the initial assessment, they "could be right" about the final outcome depending on other factors."

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

You can use alternatives like "might be correct", "may be accurate", or "could be true" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "could be right" or "could be write"?

"Could be right" is the correct phrase. "Could be write" is grammatically incorrect in this context. If you need to express that something is possibly correct, use ""could be right"".

What's the difference between "could be right" and "might be right"?

The phrases ""could be right"" and "might be right" are often used interchangeably. However, "could" sometimes implies a slightly higher degree of possibility than "might", but in most everyday contexts, they convey the same meaning.