could be still

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be still" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to suggest that something remains unchanged or continues to exist in a particular state, often in a hypothetical or uncertain context. Example: "The project could be still in its early stages, but we need to assess its progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But it could be still cheaper.

The Guardian

And it could be still bigger the next time".

The New Yorker

They could be still be charged with something.

The New York Times

Well, we could be still talking about this one in 2016".

The New York Times - Sports

"I think maybe we could be still playing a fifth set right now".

The New York Times - Sports

But there could be still cheaper deals available from a raft of new independent companies.

The Guardian - Money

It could be still be interesting to see what happens if Uruguay score first, though.

The Guardian - Sport

Indeed, recent sales figures have been coming in stronger than expected, suggesting that growth could be still higher.

The New York Times

The show is still so much with us, Mr. Ross could be still counting, but why bother?

The New York Times

In particular, he wondered if there is just one muon, or whether there could be still heavier examples.

The Guardian

On Saturday at dusk, long after the rescue experts had called it quits, they could be still be seen working the rubble.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could be still" to indicate a possibility that something remains in a particular state or condition, especially when there's uncertainty or speculation involved. For example, "The data could be still inaccurate despite the revisions."

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of "could be still" can make writing sound less assertive. In formal contexts, consider stronger alternatives like "may remain" or "might persist" to convey greater confidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be still" functions as a modal phrase expressing a possibility or a continuing state. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, indicating an ongoing condition or action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could be still" is a versatile modal phrase used to express the possibility of a continuing state. As Ludwig highlights, it's common in both news and scientific contexts, indicating its broad applicability. While grammatically correct, it's essential to consider the context and choose stronger alternatives if a more assertive tone is required. The phrase demonstrates its correctness and usability, and its widespread presence in diverse sources underscores its reliability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might still be

Expresses the same possibility or continuation, using "might" instead of "could".

may still be

Similar to "might still be", but uses "may" to indicate possibility.

could remain

Focuses on the aspect of remaining or continuing in a certain state.

might yet be

Implies a slightly higher degree of uncertainty or future possibility.

could continue to be

More explicitly emphasizes the continuous nature of the state or action.

may continue to be

Similar to "could continue to be" but uses "may" to indicate possibility.

could persist

Highlights the aspect of persisting or enduring over time.

may persist

Highlights the aspect of persisting or enduring over time, using "may" instead of "could".

could yet exist

Emphasizes the possibility of something still existing.

might still exist

Emphasizes the possibility of something still existing, using "might" instead of "could".

FAQs

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

Use "could be still" to suggest that something might remain in a certain state or condition. For example: "The problem "could be still" unresolved despite our efforts".

What are some alternatives to "could be still"?

Alternatives include "might still be", "may still be", or "could remain", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "could be still" or "might still be"?

"Could be still" and "might still be" are often interchangeable. However, "might" can sometimes imply a slightly lower probability than "could". Choose the one that best reflects the degree of uncertainty you wish to express.

What's the difference between "could be still" and "could still be"?

The placement of "still" slightly alters the emphasis. "Could be still" emphasizes the continuing state, while "could still be" emphasizes the continuing possibility. Semantically the sentences remain almost identical.