could be waived

USAGE SUMMARY

"could be waived" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something could be accepted or allowed without being required or demanded. For example: "The fee for late payment of taxes could be waived in some cases."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Lue could be waived by the Kings.

The New York Times - Sports

Dampier's $13 million salary for next season is not guaranteed and he could be waived.

The New York Times

It is still possible, a senior official said, that they could be waived later.

The New York Times

Such beastly behaviour would mean, said solemn international commissions, that the normal rights of sovereignty could be waived.

The Economist

In cases of urban redevelopment and other approved areas, however, some of the proposal's guidelines could be waived.

The New York Times

The 2010 charter drafters recommended creation of a commission composed of representatives of the mayor and the City Council to decide which reports and commissions could be waived.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Could standards be waived?

The New York Times

"This isn't about the murderers, rapists, robbers — they could all be waived," Mr. Lynch said.

The New York Times

The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, in Washington, said the deadline could not be waived in light of a 2007 decision from the Supreme Court, Bowles v. Russell.

The New York Times

He returned to say that the policy couldn't be waived and I would have to either pay the £30 fee or advise of the changes online.

The Guardian - Money

That 5-to-4 decision said filing deadlines in ordinary civil cases could not be waived even when the late filing was the product of erroneous instructions from a judge.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could be waived" to express a possibility rather than a certainty. If a waiver is guaranteed, consider using phrases like "will be waived" or "is waived" for greater accuracy.

Common error

A common mistake is assuming that "could be waived" implies an automatic action. Instead, it signifies a possibility that depends on specific circumstances or approval. Always clarify the conditions under which the waiver can occur.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be waived" functions as a modal passive construction. It indicates that a rule, requirement, or obligation has the potential to be dismissed or not enforced under certain conditions. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be waived" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express the possibility that a rule, requirement, or fee may be dismissed or not enforced. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely applicable across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, be sure to clarify the conditions under which the waiver might occur and avoid assuming it implies an automatic action. Related phrases like "may be excused" or "might be exempted" can offer alternative phrasing depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may be excused

Expresses the possibility of being relieved from a requirement, using "excused" instead of "waived".

might be exempted

Indicates a conditional removal of obligation, substituting "waived" with "exempted".

can be disregarded

Suggests the allowance to ignore or not consider something, altering the original phrasing.

is eligible for removal

Implies a potential for elimination of a rule or fee, changing the structure and vocabulary.

is subject to cancellation

Highlights the potential for revocation of a provision, differing in tone and wording.

is liable to be lifted

Indicates a contingency for the removal of a restriction, using "lifted" instead of "waived".

is open to being set aside

Suggests that a rule might be overturned or disregarded, changing the original form.

is susceptible to being voided

Indicates a vulnerability to being nullified or invalidated, which slightly alters the meaning.

is permitted to be foregone

Implies a sanctioned allowance to omit or relinquish, differing in formal expression.

is qualified for dispensation

Indicates that something meets the criteria for being exempt, employing different terminology.

FAQs

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

Use "could be waived" to indicate a possibility that a rule, requirement, or fee might be dismissed or not enforced. For example, "The application fee "could be waived" for low-income applicants."

What are some alternatives to "could be waived"?

Alternatives include "may be excused", "might be exempted", or "can be disregarded" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "can be waived" instead of "could be waived"?

Both "can be waived" and "could be waived" are grammatically correct. "Can be waived" suggests a general possibility or ability, while "could be waived" implies a conditional or potential possibility, often dependent on specific circumstances. The choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "could be waived" and "will be waived"?

"Could be waived" indicates a possibility, suggesting that a requirement might be dismissed. In contrast, "will be waived" expresses a certainty, meaning the requirement is definitely going to be dismissed. The key difference lies in the level of assurance.