could be tolerated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be tolerated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the limits of acceptance or endurance regarding a particular behavior, situation, or condition. Example: "The noise from the construction site could be tolerated for a short period, but it eventually became unbearable."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When the city was feeling strong, the quirky philosopher could be tolerated.

The Guardian - Books

"At the beginning there were random attacks and this could be tolerated," Amjad said.

The Guardian

The church is not alone in believing that evil could be tolerated for a "good cause".

The Guardian

She believed that only total victory would salve her reputation, and no compromise that rewarded aggression could be tolerated.

The Guardian

Surely the day has passed when this kind of thing could be tolerated in a book which professes to teach science.

Nature

Its central tenet was that any religious doctrine, however reactionary, and any dictatorship, however fascistic, could be tolerated as long as it was anti-western.

The Guardian - Opinion

As a result, many people, both in and out of Germany, reckoned that everything was just fine and that Hitler could be tolerated a bit longer.

The Washington Post

All genotypes managed to recover from moderate stress so Ψw = −1.2 could be tolerated well by almond seedlings but Ψw = −1.8 limited young plant growth.

Scientia Horticulturae

Furthermore, a molecular docking study was performed to obtain a better insight as to at which position such azide handles could be tolerated without affecting binding affinity.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry

Four or five inosine substitutions could be tolerated with some decline in rates, but amplification often failed from cRNA templates with primers containing larger numbers of inosines.

Journal of Virological Methods

John Schellnhuber, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, said that overshoot "could be tolerated" by the planet, without triggering any likely climatic tipping points, provided it were only for a few decades.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could be tolerated", ensure the context clearly defines the limits of tolerance and the consequences of exceeding those limits. For example, specify what actions will be taken if the situation becomes intolerable.

Common error

Avoid using "could be tolerated" without specifying who is doing the tolerating and under what conditions. Vague statements can lead to misinterpretations and unmet expectations. Always clarify the subject and context of tolerance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be tolerated" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating possibility and permissibility. It suggests that a certain action, behavior, or condition is acceptable or bearable within specified limits. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

41%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could be tolerated" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that something is acceptable within certain limits. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly used across various domains, including science, news, and academia. While it maintains a neutral tone, its usage should be precise to avoid ambiguity. Remember to specify who or what is tolerating, and under what conditions, to prevent misinterpretations. Alternative phrases like "might be permitted" or "may be allowed" can offer subtle variations in meaning. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "could be tolerated" to convey the limits of acceptance in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be permitted

Replaces "could" with "might", suggesting a lower probability or possibility of being tolerated.

may be allowed

Substitutes "could" with "may", indicating a possibility or permission for something to be tolerated.

is potentially acceptable

Replaces the modal verb with an adjective, highlighting the potential for acceptance.

is possibly permissible

Emphasizes the possibility of being permissible, making it slightly more formal.

can be endured

Focuses on the aspect of enduring or withstanding something, rather than just tolerating it.

is within acceptable limits

Indicates that something falls within the boundaries of what is considered acceptable.

is within the bounds of what is acceptable

This alternative emphasizes that something is happening or is kept within the acceptable limits.

is not entirely unacceptable

Expresses a level of tolerance by stating that something is not completely unacceptable, implying a reluctant acceptance.

is not beyond the pale

Uses an idiom to suggest that something is not outrageous or unacceptable.

is manageable under circumstances

Focuses on the manageability of a situation rather than direct tolerance.

FAQs

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

Use "could be tolerated" to express that something is acceptable up to a certain point or under specific circumstances. For instance, "A small amount of noise "could be tolerated", but excessive noise would be unacceptable."

What are some alternatives to "could be tolerated"?

Alternatives include "might be permitted", "may be allowed", or "is potentially acceptable", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "could be tolerated" formal or informal?

"Could be tolerated" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or professional writing.

What does it mean when something "could be tolerated"?

It means that something is permissible or acceptable to a certain degree or under specific conditions. It implies a limit to acceptance, beyond which the thing would no longer be acceptable.