could be sailed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be sailed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the potential for a vessel or object to be navigated or operated on water. Example: "The small boat could be sailed across the lake if the weather permits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Johnstone came up with a revolutionary idea for a 20-to-30-foot 20-to-30-foot 20-to-30-foot 20-to-30-foot its operator soaking wet.

Princeton University

The other six ships, which could be sailed to conflict zones as required, would carry equipment for an infantry brigade with MRAPs, and a sustainment brigade.

The New York Times

They could be sailed into a port in a shipping container or across land borders in the back of a truck.

The Guardian

Mr. White's best-known small boat was the Nutshell Pram, just under eight feet long, which could be sailed, rowed or used as a tender for a larger boat to carry people and supplies from shore.

The New York Times - Sports

"There was no way it could be sailed up river to the lake as the Nile is dammed, so that is why it was decided to put it on a low loader.

The Guardian

Other improvements to ships included the use of lateen sails and the stern-post rudder, both of which increased the speed at which ships could be sailed.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"I could be sailing around on a yacht or driving around the country".

The New York Times

Maintain their current form, with the assistance of the new signings Benik Afobe and Juan Iturbe, and Bournemouth could be sailing into clear blue water.

The Guardian - Sport

You could be sailing along in Lo Ho, sure that your three 3's are going to carry the day, then your last card down arrives, and it's a 2! And the pot gets scraped over to Minnie instead, cigarette hanging from a corner of her mouth, lips pursed, trying hard not to gloat because gloating is the supreme Southern bad luck of all time.

The New York Times - Magazine

Grab some friends and soon you could be sailing in the Mediterranean, Thailand or the British Virgin Islands for a 7-day non-stop party.

Huffington Post

You could be sailing to blissful Basseterre, St. Kitts, Philipsburg, St. Maarten, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Labadee, Haiti, with daily workshops led by spiritual wellness leaders.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a vessel's potential, be specific about the conditions under which it "could be sailed". For instance, "The boat could be sailed in calm waters" adds clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "could be sailed" when the active voice is more appropriate and direct. For example, instead of "The boat could be sailed by anyone", consider "Anyone could sail the boat" for a more concise statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be sailed" functions as a passive construction using the modal verb 'could' to express the potential or possibility of something being sailed. As Ludwig AI shows, it's grammatically sound and used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be sailed" is a grammatically sound passive phrase used to express the potential for a vessel to be navigated. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and use in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While there are more direct active voice alternatives, this phrase serves a specific purpose in conveying possibility rather than certainty. When using this phrase, clarity and specificity are crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is sailable

Replaces the modal verb "could" with a direct adjective indicating sailability; is more concise.

can be navigated by sail

Specifies the means of navigation (by sail) and uses "can" instead of "could".

is capable of being sailed

Emphasizes capability and uses a more formal tone.

may be sailed

Uses "may" to indicate possibility, slightly less certain than "could".

permits sailing

Focuses on the permission or allowance of sailing, rather than the ability.

is suitable for sailing

Highlights the suitability of something for sailing; changes the focus slightly.

allows navigation by sail

Highlights the permissibility of navigation via sailing.

is navigable by sail

Similar to "can be navigated by sail" but slightly more succinct.

can be piloted by sail

Substitutes "sailed" with "piloted by sail", adding a bit more active meaning to the phrase.

is designed to be sailed

Focuses on the design aspect that allows sailing.

FAQs

How do I use "could be sailed" in a sentence?

Use "could be sailed" to describe the potential for a boat or other object to be navigated by sail. For example, "This small craft could be sailed across the bay".

What are some alternatives to "could be sailed"?

Alternatives include "is sailable", "can be navigated by sail", or "is capable of being sailed" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "could be sailed" grammatically correct?

Yes, "could be sailed" is grammatically correct. It uses the modal verb "could" in the passive voice to indicate possibility or potential.

What's the difference between "could be sailed" and "can be sailed"?

"Could be sailed" implies a possibility or conditional ability, while "can be sailed" suggests a more general or inherent ability. The subtle difference depends on context.