could be that

USAGE SUMMARY

"could be that" is a grammatically correct phrase and is used often in written English.
It is usually used to express a possible explanation or speculation. For example: It could be that the power outage was caused by a storm.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

You could be that idiot!

The New Yorker

Perovskites could be that innovation.

The Economist

Oh, if life could be that simple.

The New York Times

But Stanton could be that good.

The New York Times

He could be that good".

The Guardian - Sport

It could be that bad.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It could be that.' " It was.

The New York Times - Arts

I could be that critical voice.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Samuel could be that character's alter ego.

The New York Times - Books

Another reason could be that the mapping methods differ.

BMC Genomics

Nothing could be that simple.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could be that", ensure the subsequent clause is a complete sentence to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "could be that" repeatedly without providing any supporting evidence or reasoning. Overuse can make your writing seem speculative and lacking in substance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be that" functions as a modal expression introducing a potential explanation or possibility. As Ludwig's examples show, it's used to present a tentative reason or scenario.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be that" is a versatile phrase used to express possibility or speculation, often introducing a tentative explanation. It's grammatically sound and frequently found across various sources, particularly in news and media. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. While generally neutral in tone, writers should be mindful of overuse and ensure they provide supporting evidence to strengthen their claims. For more formal contexts, alternative phrases like "it's possible that" or "the explanation is that" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's possible that

This alternative directly states a possibility, removing the conditional "could".

might be the case

This alternative suggests a possibility with a slightly more formal tone.

it's a possibility that

This option indicates a slightly greater likelihood than "it's a chance that".

may be the situation

Similar to "might be the case", this phrase is a more formal way of expressing a possible scenario.

it is potentially that

This alternative is an adverbial phrase to express likelihood.

the explanation is that

This phrase is used to introduce a likely reason or cause.

it's conceivable that

This implies that something is imaginable or believable, adding a layer of possibility.

it's a chance that

This alternative suggests that something may happen.

perhaps that's the reason

This alternative offers a reason or explanation.

maybe that's why

This suggests a possible cause or motive.

FAQs

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

"Could be that" introduces a possible explanation or scenario. For instance, "The delay could be that the flight was overbooked".

What are some alternatives to "could be that"?

You can use alternatives like "it's possible that", "maybe that's why", or "the explanation is that" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "could be that"?

Yes, "could be that" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express a possibility or speculation. Ludwig AI also confirms this.

What is the level of formality when using "could be that"?

"Could be that" is generally considered neutral in formality and can be used in various contexts, from news articles to casual conversations. More formal alternatives exist, such as "it is potentially that".