could only be exploited

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could only be exploited" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has a limited potential for use or benefit, often in a negative context. Example: "The resources in the area could only be exploited for short-term gain, leading to long-term environmental damage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But Haiti's riches could only be exploited by importing up to 40,000 slaves a year.

The Guardian

Impero said the hack "could only be exploited if basic network security does not exist" and would require the hacker to be physically present in a school.

The Guardian - Tech

Like Mr Gordon, he believed that his country's past prosperity was due to a series of favorable developments that could only be exploited once.

The Economist

The talk at meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the G20 is whether the next financial crash will be caused by the pricking of the carbon bubble – the idea that the stock-market valuation of fossil fuel companies has been inflated by overestimating the worth of reserves of oil, coal and gas that could only be exploited by putting the climate at risk.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Happiness could only be achieved through exploiting our strengths and our potential.

Huffington Post

The Philharmonie is not a facsimile of an old venerated hall, but an auditorium of its time, one that could only be built now by exploiting modern acoustic engineering.

The Guardian - Travel

The exploit could only be performed because the researcher has full, deep access to a compromised smartwatch's internals.

Huffington Post

By exploiting issues in the German Confederation, Bismarck was able in 1866 to force Austria into a position that could only be resolved by war.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It could only be Morris".

Independent

This knowledge could then be exploited not only for novel therapeutic approaches but also for potential preventive strategies.

EBioMedicine

Ideas often seemed worthwhile only if they could be exploited commercially: politics became an extension of marketing, books became important if they were in the bestseller lists, and there was a general feeling that if someone had made a lot of money, he or she had to be taken seriously (cue Richard Branson, Madonna).

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could only be exploited", ensure the context clearly indicates the limited scope or potential for taking advantage of a situation, resource, or vulnerability. This phrase often implies a negative consequence or ethical consideration.

Common error

Avoid using "could only be exploited" when a broader range of uses or benefits exists. This phrase should be reserved for scenarios where the potential is genuinely limited.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could only be exploited" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a limited possibility or potential. It suggests that something has a restricted capacity to be used or taken advantage of, often with negative implications. The Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could only be exploited" is a modal verb phrase indicating a limited or restricted potential for something to be used or taken advantage of. Ludwig AI validates that this phrase is grammatically correct and is usable in written English, even if it carries a negative connotation or ethical consideration, based on the contexts in which it appears. It is most commonly found in news and media sources. While it is grammatically sound and understood, the relative scarcity of examples suggests that more common alternative phrases exist for expressing similar ideas. Be aware that while correct, the expression should be used with care.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was exclusively exploitable

Emphasizes exclusivity in the exploitability, suggesting it was the only possibility.

was solely able to be capitalized on

Highlights that something was uniquely suited for being capitalized on, changing the tone and vocabulary.

could uniquely be leveraged

Focuses on the unique capacity for leverage, implying a strategic advantage.

was exclusively available for utilization

Stresses the exclusive availability for use, which can be slightly more formal.

could just be taken advantage of

Simplifies the phrase, focusing on the act of taking advantage with a less formal tone.

was simply able to be harnessed

Highlights the capability to harness something, emphasizing control and direction.

could merely be put to use

Reduces the impact, suggesting a basic or limited use.

was strictly able to be benefited from

Emphasizes that benefiting from something was strictly conditional and limited.

could uniquely be profited from

Focuses specifically on the possibility of gaining profit, changing the context to financial gain.

was uniquely positioned for exploitation

Shifts focus to positioning, highlighting that the situation was uniquely apt for exploitation.

FAQs

How can "could only be exploited" be used in a sentence?

Use "could only be exploited" to describe situations where the potential for benefit is very limited or comes with significant drawbacks. For instance, "The loophole "could only be exploited" for a short period before the law changed".

What are some alternatives to "could only be exploited"?

Alternatives include "was solely able to be capitalized on", "could uniquely be leveraged", or "could just be taken advantage of", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to say something "could only be exploited"?

While "could only be exploited" often carries a negative connotation, it can also be neutral depending on the context. It highlights a limitation, but whether that's good or bad depends on the specific situation. For example, an extremely complex mathematical formula "could only be exploited" with highly specialized hardware.

What's the difference between "could only be exploited" and "could be fully utilized"?

"Could only be exploited" implies a restricted or limited use, often with negative implications. In contrast, "could be fully utilized" suggests maximizing the potential or benefits of something in a positive or neutral way.