could however be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could however be" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a contradictory or contrasting idea to the previous statement. Example: The new policy may not be well-received by some employees, but it could however be beneficial in the long run.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He could, however, be doing more.

Independent

This one could, however, be his last.

The Economist

He could, however, be found on MySpace.com.com

The New York Times - Health

The suspense could, however, be more engrossing.

The New York Times - Arts

A close study of past experience could, however, be informative.

Columbia University

There could, however, be bumps on the way.

The Guardian - Books

Those days of hedonistic clubbing could, however, be numbered.

The Guardian - Music

There could, however, be talks about "political transition".

The New Yorker

It could, however, be the catalyst for deal-making.

The Economist

There could, however, be three positive outcomes to the current crisis.

The Guardian - Opinion

That could however be expanded into a full investigation at a later date.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could however be" to introduce a contrasting point or a possible alternative after an initial statement. It effectively signals a shift in perspective without negating the original idea entirely.

Common error

Avoid using "could however be" in sentences where a simpler conjunction like 'but' or 'yet' would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could however be" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase, connecting two potentially contrasting ideas within a sentence. It indicates a possibility or potential outcome that diverges from or modifies a previously stated condition. According to Ludwig AI, this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could however be" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a contrasting or alternative point, frequently appearing in news, scientific, and academic contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While highly functional, be mindful not to overuse it in simple sentences where alternatives like 'but' or 'yet' might suffice. Remember it is often interchangeable with alternatives such as "could alternatively be" or "might still be", offering subtle variations in emphasis and tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can however be

Uses 'can' to suggest possibility within constraints or conditions.

could also be

Adds another possibility without necessarily contradicting the previous statement.

could instead be

Replaces one possibility with another, often implying a preference.

could alternatively be

Suggests a different course of action or possibility.

could conversely be

Highlights an opposite relationship or outcome.

might nonetheless be

Emphasizes a degree of unexpectedness or contrast despite a preceding statement.

could equally be

Indicates two possibilities have a similar likelihood.

may still be

Indicates a possibility that something remains true despite an opposing factor.

might in contrast be

Directly contrasts one potential situation with another.

might on the other hand be

Introduces an alternative possibility or perspective.

FAQs

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

The phrase "could however be" is used to introduce a contrasting or alternative point. For example, "The project faces some challenges, it "could however be" completed ahead of schedule with additional resources".

What phrases can I use instead of "could however be"?

Alternatives include "could alternatively be", "could instead be", or "might still be", each offering subtle differences in emphasis.

Is it always necessary to include 'however' when using 'could be' to express a contrasting idea?

No, 'however' is not always necessary. You can use 'but' or 'yet' for a simpler contrast. The inclusion of 'however' adds a slightly more formal tone.

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

Both phrases express possibility with a contrast, but "could however be" generally indicates a higher degree of certainty or feasibility than "might however be".