could not be more

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could not be more" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize a certain quality or degree. Example: "I could not be more proud of my daughter for graduating top of her class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their arrival could not be more timely.

The New York Times - Arts

Her name could not be more appropriate.

The New York Times

Local officials could not be more thrilled.

The Economist

Cabrera could not be more relaxed.

The New York Times - Sports

The answer could not be more emphatic.

Independent

And I could not be more excited.

The New York Times

It could not be more clear".

Independent

His return could not be more timely.

The New York Times - Sports

The contrast could not be more pronounced.

Independent

"Her change could not be more extreme".

The New York Times

It could not be more unhealthy".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could not be more", be mindful of the tone. The phrase often implies surprise or a strong contrast. Ensure the surrounding sentences align with this implied emotion.

Common error

Avoid using "could not be more" excessively, as it can lose its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure and use synonyms to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could not be more" functions as an intensifier, emphasizing the degree or extent of the adjective that follows. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable construction, serving to highlight a quality or state. The examples illustrate its use in expressing strong emotions, contrasts, and opinions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

93%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could not be more" is a versatile intensifier used to emphasize qualities or states. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is commonly found in news and media sources, adding emphasis to statements and expressing strong opinions or emotions. While generally neutral in register, it's best to use it judiciously in formal or scientific writing to avoid sounding repetitive. Be sure to consider related phrases for alternative wording and avoid overuse to maintain the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could hardly be any more

Uses "hardly" to soften the emphasis slightly, implying a near-maximal degree.

couldn't possibly be any more

Adds "possibly" to emphasize the impossibility of exceeding the described degree.

cannot get any more

Replaces "could" with "cannot" for a stronger, more direct statement of impossibility.

nothing could be more

Emphasizes the uniqueness of a quality by stating nothing else could surpass it.

it's hard to imagine it being more

Shifts the perspective to the difficulty of conceiving a higher degree.

it doesn't get any more

Uses a more colloquial expression to indicate the limit of a quality or state.

cannot be surpassed

Focuses on the unsurpassable nature of the described attribute.

reaches the height of

Highlights that something has reached its peak level.

is the ultimate

Declares something as the best or most extreme example.

embodies the epitome of

Indicates something is the perfect example of a quality.

FAQs

How can I use "could not be more" in a sentence?

Use "could not be more" to emphasize a particular quality or feeling. For example, you might say "I "could not be more excited" about the upcoming trip" to express extreme excitement.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "could not be more"?

Alternatives include phrases like "could hardly be any more", "couldn't possibly be any more", or "cannot get any more", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "could not be more" or "couldn't be more"?

"Could not be more" and "couldn't be more" are both grammatically correct, with the latter being a contraction. "Couldn't be more" is more common in informal contexts, while "could not be more" is slightly more formal, although both are widely acceptable.

What's the difference between "could not be more" and "could not be less"?

"Could not be more" emphasizes the maximum degree of a quality, while "could not be less" emphasizes the minimum degree. For instance, "I "could not be more proud"" means you are extremely proud, while "I "could not be less interested"" means you have no interest at all.