could be trusted

USAGE SUMMARY

"could be trusted" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to talk about a person or situation that is likely to be reliable or dependable. Example: "I knew that I could always count on Sarah, she could be trusted to keep her promises." Another example: "The new security system could be trusted to keep our information safe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

She could be trusted.

The New York Times

Lackey asked whether Scruggs could be trusted.

The New Yorker

Who, she wondered, could be trusted?

The New York Times - Tech

No structure, it seemed, could be trusted.

The New York Times

Besides, who could be trusted to decide?

The New Yorker

I could be trusted to effect a change.

The New Yorker

An independent regulator could be trusted to do that.

The Economist

Some wanted to know if he could be trusted.

The New Yorker

He also didn't know if M. could be trusted.

The New York Times - Magazine

In court, Strawberry insisted that he could be trusted.

The New York Times - Sports

He declared afterwards that Trump could be trusted.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could be trusted", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the trusting, and what they are being trusted with. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "could be trusted" excessively in passive constructions. Whenever possible, rephrase the sentence to highlight the actor doing the trusting, resulting in a stronger and more direct statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be trusted" functions as a passive construction expressing the possibility of reliability or dependability. It indicates that someone or something possesses the capacity to be relied upon, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could be trusted" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that signifies reliability and dependability. Ludwig AI confirms this through its analysis and numerous real-world examples. Predominantly found in News & Media, but also present in Science and Business contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral register, serving to inspire confidence in the subject being discussed. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity regarding who is doing the trusting and what they are being trusted with, and also balance its use with active voice constructions for more impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be relied upon

Emphasizes dependability and the ability to count on someone or something.

is worthy of trust

Highlights the inherent quality of deserving trust.

can be depended on

Focuses on the ability to rely on someone's actions or character.

is reliable

A more direct way of stating trustworthiness.

is credible

Indicates believability and trustworthiness in terms of information or claims.

is reputable

Suggests a good reputation and reliability based on past actions.

is to be believed

Emphasizes the act of believing and accepting someone's word.

commands confidence

Highlights the ability to inspire trust and assurance.

bears scrutiny

Implies that something is trustworthy because it can withstand close examination.

inspires faith

Focuses on the feeling of trust and belief that someone or something evokes.

FAQs

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

You can use "could be trusted" to express reliability or dependability, as in "The data "could be trusted" because it was verified by multiple sources".

What are some alternatives to saying "could be trusted"?

Alternatives include "can be relied upon", "is reliable", or "is worthy of trust", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "could be trusted" and "can be trusted"?

"Could be trusted" often implies a past assessment or a hypothetical situation, while "can be trusted" suggests a present or ongoing state of trustworthiness. For instance, "He "could be trusted" with the secret" suggests that he was deemed trustworthy at a certain point, whereas "He "can be trusted"" implies he currently possesses that quality.

What does it mean when someone says something "could be trusted"?

Saying something ""could be trusted"" indicates that it was, or is, regarded as reliable and accurate, and can be depended on to provide correct information or perform as expected.