could be solving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be solving" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to suggest a possibility or potential action related to solving a problem or issue. Example: "If we had more resources, we could be solving the current challenges much more effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

She doesn't seem street-smart, but rather like a person who could be solving a calculus equation in her head while her male admirers burble palaver.

The New Yorker

Seemingly then, a set of efficient linear solvers could be solving important scientific problems for years to come.

Journal of Parallel and Distributed Computing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It could be solved tomorrow.

The Guardian

Many of these problems could be solved.

The Guardian

Coughlin said those problems could be solved.

The New York Times - Sports

How quickly it could be solved was another question.

The New York Times

The guard situation could be solved by free agency.

The New York Times - Sports

But the problem could be solved so easily.

The New York Times - Sports

But Mr. Beilin said that issue could be solved.

The New York Times

Many of these problems could be solved quite simply.

The Guardian

Many drug addiction problems could be solved by treatment.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could be solving" to indicate a potential or hypothetical action in progress, especially when discussing future possibilities or conditional scenarios. It suggests that a problem is not yet solved, but there's a possibility that it will be.

Common error

Avoid using "could be solving" when a definitive statement is more appropriate. If the problem is already known to be solved, use "is solving" or "has solved" to convey certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be solving" functions as a modal verb construction expressing possibility or potential action. It indicates a conditional or hypothetical scenario where someone or something is in the process of addressing a problem. Ludwig shows examples in both news and academic contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be solving" is a modal verb construction used to express a hypothetical or potential action in progress. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it's grammatically correct, though relatively rare, and is found in both news and scientific contexts. Its primary function is to suggest a possibility or conditional scenario, and it's crucial to avoid using it in situations requiring a definite statement. Alternatives such as "might be resolving" or "may be addressing" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight variations in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be resolving

Replaces "could" with "might", suggesting a slightly lower probability.

may be addressing

Substitutes "could" with "may", indicating possibility and "solving" with "addressing", suggesting a focus on tackling the issue.

potentially resolving

Replaces the modal verb construction with an adverb and present participle, emphasizing the potential nature of the resolution.

conceivably fixing

Uses "conceivably" to indicate possibility and "fixing" as a more informal substitute for "solving".

perhaps untangling

Employs "perhaps" to express possibility and "untangling" to suggest resolving a complex issue.

possibly working out

Utilizes "possibly" and the phrasal verb "working out" to convey a more informal and process-oriented approach to solving.

in the process of solving

Focuses on the ongoing nature of the action, replacing the modal verb with a descriptive phrase.

endeavoring to resolve

Emphasizes the effort being made to solve the problem, using more formal language.

attempting to solve

Highlights the attempt to solve, without guaranteeing success.

seeking to resolve

Focuses on the intention and pursuit of a solution, rather than the certainty of achieving it.

FAQs

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

"Could be solving" indicates a potential or hypothetical action in progress. For example, "With more resources, we "could be solving" the problem more quickly."

What are some alternatives to "could be solving"?

Alternatives include "might be resolving", "may be addressing", or "potentially resolving", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "could solve" instead of "could be solving"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they have different meanings. "Could solve" suggests a potential future action, while "could be solving" suggests a potential action in progress.

What's the difference between "could be solving" and "is solving"?

"Could be solving" implies a possibility or a hypothetical situation, whereas "is solving" indicates a current, ongoing action.