Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

could we submit

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could we submit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when making a polite request or suggestion to submit something, such as a document or proposal. Example: "Could we submit our final report by the end of the week?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It started in April 2005 with a simple one-line email from the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger: could we submit freedom of information requests to ministers to see what letters they have received, and on what subjects, from Prince Charles?

News & Media

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

We even had pretty strict guidelines on what we could submit for approval.

News & Media

Huffington Post

"We could add to the competitive environment," Mr. Halldin said, "and benefit the county through the bids that we could submit".

News & Media

The New York Times

Perhaps we could submit them for Philavery 2.0.

News & Media

The New York Times

This means that even at a very high level of generality, there is no way we could submit any maxim for assessment to the ideal public, unless such a maxim makes no direct reference to the problem of publicity.

Science

SEP

"I wish we could submit more for resettlement, but I'm more disturbed by the fact that people are waiting for years to get the basic determination on their refugee status so they can move on with their lives," she said.

News & Media

Vice

From the two authors who initially refused without providing a reason, one author said that we could submit a formal and lengthy proposal to the appropriate trialists' group; the other apologized that he had not been aware of the journal's data sharing policy and, as he was forbidden to pass the data on to third parties, he would not have published in PLoS had he been aware of this requirement.

Science

Plosone

And since we are on the subject of clarification, can you also assure me that the text on the European arrest warrant on which we could submit amendments up to 4 p.m. last Thursday is still the same text and was not changed last weekend?

How could we have ever submitted to such nonsense?

News & Media

The New Yorker

In order to verify that all questions could be easily understood, we submitted the questionnaire to a sample of patients before beginning the study.

We then filed a joint state return acknowledging our married status, which, in turn, required the preparation of a fake or "shadow" joint federal return (which we needed in order to calculate our Massachusetts taxes but which we could not submit).

News & Media

Huffington Post
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could we submit" in professional communication, ensure the context clearly indicates what you are offering to submit and to whom.

Common error

Avoid stacking multiple conditional phrases (e.g., 'If approved, could we then submit...') as it can make your request sound hesitant and unclear. State your request directly after addressing necessary conditions.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could we submit" primarily functions as a polite interrogative used to request permission or suggest the action of submitting something. This is confirmed by Ludwig AI, which identifies the phrase as correct and usable. Examples show it used in contexts ranging from formal requests to more casual suggestions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could we submit" is a grammatically sound and polite way to inquire about or propose submitting something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, although primarily found in news, scientific, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "may we submit" exist for increased formality and "can we submit" for informality, ensuring clear context and avoiding overuse of conditional phrasing will enhance the effectiveness of this phrase. Overall, it presents a balanced approach for respectful and clear communication.

FAQs

How can I use "could we submit" in a sentence?

Use "could we submit" when politely requesting permission or suggesting the act of submitting something. For example: "Could we submit the proposal by Friday?"

What is a more formal way to say "could we submit"?

A more formal alternative to "could we submit" is "may we submit", which conveys a higher degree of formality and respect.

Is "can we submit" the same as "could we submit"?

While both phrases inquire about submitting something, "can we submit" is generally considered less formal than "could we submit". "Could" is often perceived as more polite.

What does "are we able to submit" emphasize compared to "could we submit"?

"Are we able to submit" puts more emphasis on the ability or capacity to submit, whereas "could we submit" is more focused on requesting permission or making a suggestion.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: