could well be applied

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could well be applied" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to suggest that something is likely or appropriate to be used in a particular context or situation. Example: "The principles of effective communication could well be applied in various professional settings to enhance collaboration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Co-writer of Lazarus, Irish playwright Enda Walsh, describes himself as a "practising misanthrope", a description which could well be applied to Bowie and suits Tevis's bleak tale.

The Guardian - Opinion

What is learned in tackling such a large-scale data analysis and predictive-modeling problem could well be applied in many industries, like Web commerce or telecommunications.

The New York Times - Tech

Thinking about her life, I feel that that enigmatic phrase could well be applied to our understanding of Greene and of their relationship.

The Guardian - Books

It's an interesting move and could well be applied to all sorts of other areas.

TechCrunch

The Weibull distribution could well be applied to describe the probability distribution of the FDH.

Journal of Transportation Systems Engineering and Information Technology

I think it will be interesting to see who wins, because the models they use could well be applied to lots of other platforms.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

I once told Stoppard that, impressive though his dictum sounded, it could equally well be applied to a jockey.

The New Yorker

I am sure that this could equally well be applied to readers: here's to irresponsible reading – as I consider dusting off, one more time, The 39 Steps.

The Guardian

It's a line that sums up the slippery nature of this most contradictory of films and could equally well be applied to the director.

Independent

The only thing wrong with this observation is that Ofsted seems to think it applies only to primary school pupils, whereas it could equally well be applied to those in secondary school – and students at a good few universities, too.

The Guardian

That "back-to-basics" approach to Parker's shot selection could very well be applied across the board, where the Spurs have more room to rely on playbook continuity than almost any team out there.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could well be applied" when suggesting a strong possibility or appropriateness, but acknowledge there might be other options. It is not a definitive statement but a qualified suggestion.

Common error

Avoid using "could well be applied" when you need to express absolute certainty. This phrase implies possibility, not a guaranteed outcome. Choose stronger verbs like "will" or "must" to indicate certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could well be applied" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a strong possibility or likelihood that something is suitable or appropriate for a particular use. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It suggests a potential application based on certain conditions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Unknown/unmatched sources

17%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could well be applied" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that suggests a strong possibility or likelihood of something being suitable for a particular purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a usable and appropriate phrase in a variety of contexts, particularly in science and news media. While not expressing absolute certainty, it offers a reasoned suggestion of potential applicability. When using the phrase, consider alternatives like "might be applicable" or "may be suitable for use" to fine-tune the level of certainty and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be applicable

Expresses a possibility or suitability, similar to the original phrase but with a slightly weaker degree of certainty.

may be suitable for use

Indicates that something is potentially appropriate for a particular purpose or application.

is potentially adaptable

Highlights the capacity of something to be modified or adjusted for a specific context.

is possibly relevant

Suggests that something might have a connection or importance to a specific situation.

could conceivably be used

Implies that it's within the realm of possibility that something could be utilized.

is reasonably applicable

Suggests that something is fairly appropriate or suitable for a particular situation.

is likely to be adapted

Indicates a high probability that something will be modified for a specific use.

might reasonably be employed

Suggests a plausible use or implementation of something.

is probably fitting

Expresses a belief that something is likely to be appropriate or suitable.

is conceivably adaptable

Implies it's possible that something can be changed or adjusted to fit a certain context.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "could well be applied" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "might be applicable", "may be suitable for use", or "is potentially adaptable" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "could well be applied" and "might be applied"?

"Could well be applied" suggests a slightly stronger possibility or likelihood than "might be applied". The former conveys a greater degree of confidence in the potential applicability.

Is it appropriate to use "could well be applied" in academic writing?

Yes, "could well be applied" is appropriate for academic writing when you want to suggest a strong possibility without making an absolute claim. It acknowledges that other approaches or interpretations may exist.

How to use "could well be applied" in a sentence?

For example, you might say, "The methodology used in this study "could well be applied" to other areas of research" or "The lessons learned from this project "could well be applied" to future initiatives".