could easily be

USAGE SUMMARY

"could easily be" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is generally used when an action could happen with very little effort or difficulty. For example: "The project could easily be completed in two days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They could easily be disarmed".

The New York Times

It could easily be expanded.

The New Yorker

His name could easily be Pavel".

The New Yorker

He could easily be proven right.

The New York Times

But he could easily be out longer.

The New York Times - Sports

But it could easily be read differently.

The Economist

Such posts could easily be bought.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The pattern could easily be repeated.

Independent

The cost could easily be $500-600 500-600

The Economist

Such inflows could easily be reversed.

The Economist

I could easily be wrong.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could easily be" to indicate something is not only possible but also requires minimal effort or resources. For instance, "The problem could easily be solved with a software update."

Common error

Avoid using "could easily be" when the outcome is uncertain or requires significant external factors to align. For example, instead of saying "The company could easily be profitable next quarter" without solid evidence, provide supporting context or use a more cautious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could easily be" functions as a modal verb phrase. It indicates a possibility combined with a suggestion of ease or lack of difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could easily be" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to express possibility coupled with a sense of ease or minimal effort. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used across various writing styles. It's commonly found in news, academic, and general content, and alternatives like "could readily be" or "might well be" can offer similar nuances. When using this phrase, be mindful of overstating certainty and ensure the context supports the implication of ease. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a wide range of writing contexts, offering a balanced way to express potential outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could readily be

Replaces "easily" with "readily", emphasizing immediate availability or preparedness.

could simply be

Replaces "easily" with "simply", suggesting a lack of complexity.

could effortlessly be

Replaces "easily" with "effortlessly", highlighting the absence of effort.

could smoothly be

Highlights the absence of difficulty or problems.

is potentially

Focuses on possibility rather than ease, omitting "easily".

might well be

Uses "might well" to express a strong possibility, slightly more formal.

may indeed be

Uses "may indeed" to express possibility with a degree of emphasis or confirmation.

could in all likelihood be

Expresses probability with a strong emphasis, more verbose than "could easily be".

it is conceivable that

Uses a more formal and detached tone to indicate possibility.

is within the realm of possibility

Significantly expands on the idea, focusing on the theoretical possibility.

FAQs

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

You can use "could easily be" to suggest something is both possible and achievable with little effort. For example, "The project "could easily be" completed before the deadline if we allocate more resources."

What are some alternatives to "could easily be"?

Alternatives include "could readily be", "might well be", or "could simply be". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "could easily be" formal or informal?

"Could easily be" is suitable for most contexts. While not overly formal, it's also not strictly informal. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "could easily be" and "might be"?

"Could easily be" implies not only possibility but also a degree of ease or lack of difficulty. "Might be" simply indicates possibility without emphasizing the ease of achievement. Therefore, "could easily be" suggests a higher likelihood and lower effort compared to might be.