could very well be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could very well be" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to express the possibility of something being true or the likelihood of something happening. Here is an example of how it can be used in a sentence: "I'm not entirely sure, but based on the evidence, it could very well be that the suspect is innocent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I could very well be.

The New York Times

"Could very well be.

The New York Times - Sports

And it could very well be salacious.

The New York Times

He could very well be right.

The New York Times

"Skateboarding could very well be the epicenter.

The New York Times

But it could very well be wrong.

The Guardian

Actually, you could very well be wrong.

The New York Times

And this year's swing voter could very well be..

The New York Times

But the current concerns could very well be overdone.

The New York Times

Tune in as history could very well be made.

MIT Technology Review

The line could very well be reunited Monday night.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could very well be" to express a strong possibility, but avoid overusing it in formal writing where more precise language might be preferable.

Common error

Avoid using "could very well be" when the situation requires a definitive statement. If you have concrete evidence, state the fact directly instead of hedging with this phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could very well be" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing possibility or likelihood. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in diverse contexts, affirming its role in indicating that something is quite possible.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could very well be" is a frequently used modal verb phrase that conveys a strong possibility or likelihood. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While interchangeable with phrases like "might very well be" or "may very well be", it's important to avoid overuse and ensure that the level of certainty aligns with the available evidence. Using this phrase correctly will enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might very well be

Uses 'might' instead of 'could', indicating a similar degree of possibility.

may very well be

Substitutes 'could' with 'may', suggesting an equivalent chance or probability.

could easily be

Replaces 'very well' with 'easily', focusing on the lack of difficulty for something to happen.

could conceivably be

Emphasizes the conceivability of something, rather than just its possibility.

is quite likely to be

Changes the structure to a 'is likely' form, highlighting the probability.

is very likely to be

Similar to 'quite likely', but intensifies the degree of likelihood.

is probably going to be

Expresses a future possibility with a degree of confidence.

is possibly going to be

Similar to 'probably going to be', but indicates a lower degree of confidence.

can be reasonably expected to be

Introduces an element of expectation based on reason or evidence.

is anticipated to be

Focuses on expectation or prediction about a future event or state.

FAQs

How can I use "could very well be" in a sentence?

Use "could very well be" to express a reasonable possibility or likelihood. For example, "Given the evidence, that "could very well be" the correct answer."

What are some alternatives to "could very well be"?

You can use alternatives like "might very well be", "may very well be", or "is quite likely to be" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to use "could very well be" or "might very well be"?

"Might very well be" and "could very well be" are generally interchangeable in terms of formality. However, choosing a more direct expression might enhance formality in certain contexts.

What's the difference between "could very well be" and "is likely to be"?

"Could very well be" suggests a strong possibility, whereas "is likely to be" indicates a higher degree of probability. "Is likely to be" implies more supporting evidence than "could very well be".