could be warranted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be warranted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing whether a certain action, decision, or belief is justified or supported by evidence or circumstances. Example: "Given the recent developments, a thorough investigation could be warranted to ensure transparency."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

More action could be warranted from the Bank, which has the power to clamp down further on mortgage lending as part of its macro-prudential tools.

The Guardian - Business

The IMF suggested that limited, co-ordinated policies to temper flows could be warranted, especially in economies with relatively underdeveloped financial systems.

The Economist

When the F.T.C. issues the new green marketing guidelines in the United States, he said, fines could be warranted for companies making false or misleading green claims — just as the commission recently fined Reebok $25 million over an ad campaign claiming that its toning shoes could strengthen a wearer's buttocks, legs and thighs.

The New York Times

Los Angeles hosts two teams, thus a comparison of Toronto to Los Angeles could be warranted.

Mathematics-in-Industry Case Studies

Other systematic influences on the student's responses were ruled out and the assumption of one-dimensionality could be warranted.

International Journal of STEM Education

In this case, the intervention could be warranted, on the one hand, by the damage that being overweight or obese does to the individuals themselves (Gruber 2002).

Latin American Economic Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Most of the FLs who said that they could cure HIV also mentioned that a positive outcome could not be warranted because healing would depend on the strength of the faith of those involved.

BMC Public Health

Further qualitative research could therefore be warranted to understand the positive consequences of caregiving and if relevant, additional items that capture these domains could be included into the CBQ-HF to ensure it captures the whole spectrum of caregiver experiences.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

The ECB's own inflation outlook suggested such moves to increase bond-buying could well be warranted.

The Guardian - Business

However, none of these findings have yet been tested in a "systematic appraisal" of spicy food – the kind of study which could now be warranted, Dr Forouhi said.

Independent

In 2012, for instance, its altered its line on the subject of capital controls, to allow that the judicious, coordinated use of certain controls could occasionally be warranted.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could be warranted" when you want to suggest that an action, decision, or further investigation is potentially justified based on the circumstances, but without stating it as a certainty. This conveys a sense of possibility and conditional appropriateness.

Common error

Avoid using "could be warranted" excessively in passive constructions, as it can make your writing sound vague and indirect. Instead, consider rephrasing the sentence to be more active and direct, if possible, to increase clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be warranted" functions as a modal phrase expressing possibility or conditional justification. It suggests that a particular action, decision, or belief may be justified under certain circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could be warranted" is a versatile modal phrase that indicates a potential justification or appropriateness for an action or decision. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in a variety of contexts, particularly within scientific, news, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "may be justified" or "might be necessary" exist, "could be warranted" provides a nuanced way to express a qualified endorsement or suggest further investigation without making a definitive statement. When using this phrase, avoid overuse and ensure it aligns with the intended level of certainty and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may be justified

Expresses a similar level of possibility and justification, using "may" instead of "could".

might be necessary

Shifts the focus to necessity while maintaining a degree of uncertainty.

may be appropriate

Indicates suitability rather than strict justification, but still conveys a sense of potential correctness.

might be advisable

Suggests a recommended course of action, implying that the action is potentially beneficial or necessary.

may be called for

Emphasizes the need for a particular action or response.

might be permissible

Focuses on the permissibility or allowance of something.

may be reasonable

Highlights the rationality or logical basis for something.

might be legitimate

Suggests the validity or lawfulness of something.

may be sanctioned

Implies official approval or authorization.

might be defensible

Indicates that something can be supported or justified against criticism.

FAQs

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

The phrase "could be warranted" suggests that something may be justified or appropriate, but it's not a definite statement. For example, "Given the circumstances, an investigation "could be warranted"."

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

Alternatives include phrases like "may be justified", "might be necessary", or "may be appropriate", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "could be warranted" or "is warranted"?

"Could be warranted" implies a possibility or potential justification, whereas "is warranted" states a definite justification. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the level of certainty you wish to express.

What does "could be warranted" imply about the speaker's certainty?

Using "could be warranted" suggests that the speaker isn't entirely certain but sees a reasonable basis for the action or decision being considered. It's less assertive than stating something is definitively warranted.