could only be issued

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could only be issued" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is restricted to a specific condition or circumstance, implying exclusivity in the issuance of something. Example: "The special edition of the book could only be issued to members of the literary club."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

A woman walked in to vote and was shocked to find that she could only be issued a provisional ballot.

The Guardian - Opinion

Thomas banks with the Co-operative Bank, which told her that her new credit card could only be issued with a contactless facility.

The Guardian - Money

She would not accept the provisional ballot – with good reason – and demanded to know why she could only be issued a provisional ballot.

The Guardian - Opinion

Further, search warrants would be treated like subpoenas, and could only be issued with the approval of the Attorney General, and only after the A.G. has considered several factors: Was the information sought essential to the investigation?

The New Yorker

It required getting an invite, which could only be issued by someone who already had one.

TechCrunch

We were informed, however, that a court order or restraining order could only be issued against known persons.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Even though these could now only be issued anonymously, and so could not be redeemed, the copperheads were preferred to the 3-cent shinplasters.

Wikipedia

This comparison may be problematic as death is included as an event, but obviously it could only be an issue after salvage ASCT.

Bone Marrow Transplantation

"This change could only be applied through the issue of a general amnesty to all political prisoners, to promote democracy inside the country and to achieve a national political reconciliation.

The New York Times

Consideration of the quality of life and urgency issues could only be undertaken from the perspective of NHS Direct recommendation, as any attempt to consider these issues from the perspective of the patient-stated first alternative would have remained hypothetical and would have been from the same sample population.

BMC Health Services Research

"But I realized that the scale of the issues and the capacity to really address poverty and the attendant issues could only be done through the role of governor," she said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "could only be issued", ensure that the condition or restriction on the issuance is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify who is authorized to issue something or under what circumstances it can be issued.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "could only be issued" without specifying who or what is doing the issuing. Always provide the agent or authority responsible for the issuance to give the sentence clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could only be issued" functions as a modal passive construction. It indicates a restriction or condition under which something is permitted to be issued. This construction is frequently used in formal contexts, as demonstrated by the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could only be issued" is a grammatically sound and understandable construction that conveys restrictions or conditions on the act of issuing something. As indicated by Ludwig, its usage is correct and common. While not overly frequent, it appears in diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. To ensure clarity, always specify the condition or agent of issuance. Alternatives like "was exclusively issued" or "was solely issued" may provide similar meanings. By considering these nuances, writers can effectively use "could only be issued" to convey specific limitations and requirements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was exclusively issued

Emphasizes the exclusivity of the issuance.

was solely issued

Highlights that it was issued by one single authority.

was uniquely issued

Stresses the uniqueness of the issuance.

was restricted to being issued

Indicates a limitation on the act of issuing.

was permissible to be issued solely

More formal and emphasizes permission and exclusivity.

can exclusively be issued

Focuses on the possibility and exclusivity.

may only be dispensed

Suitable when something is being distributed.

was confined to being issued

Indicates a strict limitation.

could not be issued otherwise

Emphasizes the lack of alternative methods for issuing.

was limited to being issued

Expresses a specific constraint on the action.

FAQs

How to use "could only be issued" in a sentence?

The phrase "could only be issued" is used to indicate that something is restricted to specific conditions or circumstances. For example, "The permit "could only be issued" after the inspection was completed".

What can I say instead of "could only be issued"?

You can use alternatives like "was exclusively issued", "was solely issued", or "was uniquely issued" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "could only be issued" or "could be only issued"?

"Could only be issued" is the correct and more common phrasing. "Could be only issued" is grammatically awkward and less frequently used.

What's the difference between "could only be issued" and "could not be issued"?

"Could only be issued" implies that issuance is possible under specific conditions. "Could not be issued" indicates that issuance is impossible or prohibited.