could well be

USAGE SUMMARY

"could well be" is correct and usable in written English.
You would generally use it when you want to make a suggestion that is likely to be true, although you are not sure. For example: "The missing document could well be in the filing cabinet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They could well be.

The New York Times

That could well be.

The New York Times - Sports

They could well be right.

The Economist

This could well be true.

The New Yorker

It could well be sense8tional.

Independent

This could well be boilerplate.

The Economist

Mr Thucdong could well be right.

The Economist

This could well be their undoing.

The New York Times

And he could well be wrong.

The Economist

That could well be true.

The Guardian - Sport

There could well be hundreds.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could well be", ensure the context provides some basis for the possibility you are suggesting, avoiding its use for completely unfounded guesses.

Common error

Avoid using "could well be" when you actually have concrete evidence or certainty about something. It's best reserved for situations where a degree of uncertainty remains.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could well be" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a strong possibility or likelihood. It is used to suggest that something is quite probable, based on available information, as seen in examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

18%

Science

14%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could well be" is a versatile modal verb phrase that indicates a strong possibility or likelihood. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in various writing contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Science. When using this phrase, ensure that you are expressing a well-reasoned possibility based on available evidence, rather than stating an absolute fact. While alternatives like "might very well be" or "is likely to be" exist, "could well be" strikes a balance between speculation and informed judgment, making it a valuable addition to your writing toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might very well be

Emphasizes the possibility with the addition of "very".

may very well be

Similar to "might very well be", indicating a strong possibility.

is likely to be

Expresses a high probability, focusing on likelihood.

it's quite likely that

Synonymous with "is likely to be", reinforcing the probability.

is probably going to be

Indicates a probable future event or state.

is expected to be

Suggests an anticipation or expectation of something happening.

it is quite possible that

Introduces the idea as a distinct possibility.

it is conceivable that

Highlights that something is within the realm of possibility.

it is plausible that

Suggests that something is believable or reasonable.

it's not unlikely that

Expresses a possibility by negating the unlikelihood.

FAQs

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

Use "could well be" to suggest a strong possibility. For example, "Given the evidence, the suspect "could well be" innocent."

What alternatives can I use instead of "could well be"?

You can use alternatives like "might very well be", "is likely to be", or "is expected to be" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "could be" the same as "could well be"?

"Could be" indicates a possibility, whereas ""could well be"" implies a stronger likelihood or a higher degree of probability. The addition of "well" strengthens the possibility.

When is it appropriate to use "could well be" in writing?

It's appropriate to use ""could well be"" when you want to express a considered opinion or a judgment based on some evidence, but without absolute certainty. It balances speculation with a reasonable basis.