could be selected

USAGE SUMMARY

"could be selected" is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
Example: The new CEO could be selected from the competitive pool of applicants.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That could be selected.

The Economist

Others said he could be selected in the teens.

The New York Times - Sports

Those players could be selected by other teams, just as any others, without their approval.

The New York Times - Sports

The prints could be selected to correspond to the recipient's borough, she said.

The New York Times

These candidate proteins could be selected through genomic predictions, literature discovery, or data mining.

Nature

Additionally, Washington players from Australia, Jamaica and Nigeria could be selected.

The Washington Post

Spots in the last category could be selected for the next expansion.

The Washington Post

The optimum curves could be selected with Cu values more than 9.5.

Construction and Building Materials

Taken together, compound 10b could be selected for further preclinical evaluation.

European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry

These compounds could be selected as multi-potent agents for further investigation to treat AD.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry

Stoudemire is a distant third, with 178,797, although he could be selected as a reserve.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could be selected", ensure the context clearly indicates the criteria or process governing the selection.

Common error

Avoid using "could be selected" excessively in writing, as it can make sentences sound weak and indirect. Consider rewriting the sentence in active voice to improve clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be selected" functions as a passive construction indicating possibility. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is frequently used to express that someone or something has the potential to be chosen, without specifying who or what is doing the selecting.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be selected" is a versatile phrase used to express the possibility of something being chosen. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically sound and sees it used commonly in science, news, and formal business contexts. While it's grammatically sound and widely used, be mindful of overusing the passive voice. By understanding its function and exploring alternatives, you can effectively incorporate it into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be chosen

Replaces "could" with "might" and "selected" with "chosen", indicating a possibility of being chosen.

may be picked

Substitutes "could" with "may" and "selected" with "picked", conveying a sense of potential selection.

is eligible for selection

Changes the structure to highlight eligibility rather than possibility, focusing on meeting the criteria for selection.

is in contention for selection

Indicates active competition or consideration for being selected, emphasizing the competitive aspect.

has a chance of being selected

Emphasizes the probabilistic aspect of the selection process, highlighting that selection is not guaranteed.

potentially could be selected

Adds emphasis on the potential, although the usage of both "potentially" and "could" may be considered redundant.

could be a candidate

Shifts the focus to the person or item being a candidate, implying a possibility of selection.

could be in the running

Suggests being part of a competitive process where selection is the goal.

is a possible choice

Highlights the item as one of several possible options that could be selected.

could find itself selected

Adds a reflexive element, suggesting that the selection process may happen without direct action from the subject.

FAQs

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

Use "could be selected" to indicate a possibility or potential for something or someone to be chosen. For example: "The best candidate "could be selected" for the job".

What are some alternatives to "could be selected"?

You can use alternatives like "might be chosen", "may be picked", or "is eligible for selection depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "could be selected"?

While "could be selected" is grammatically correct in passive voice, using the active voice can often make your writing more direct and impactful. However, passive voice is useful when the actor is unknown or unimportant.

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

"Could be selected" indicates a possibility, while "will be selected" implies a higher degree of certainty or a future decision. "Will be selected" suggests a planned or predetermined action, whereas the former indicates a potential outcome.