how could that be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'how could that be' is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase typically expresses surprise or disbelief. It can be used in various contexts, both formal and informal. For example: "The test results showed I passed the course, how could that be?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

How could that be detected?

The New Yorker

How could that be so?

The New Yorker

How could that be thought offensive?

The New Yorker

How could that be tolerated?

The New Yorker

How could that be possible?

The Guardian - Opinion

How could that be fair?

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

"How could that even be?

The New York Times

But how could that enthusiasm be maintained?

The Guardian

How could that not be Pulitzer material?

The New Yorker

How could that possibly be achieved?

The New Yorker

How could that possibly be?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how could that be" to express genuine surprise or disbelief. It invites further explanation or discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "how could that be" sarcastically or rhetorically in heated arguments, as it can come across as dismissive or condescending. Opt for more direct and respectful ways to express disagreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how could that be" serves as an interrogative expression, primarily functioning to question a statement, situation, or occurrence that seems surprising, illogical, or improbable. It prompts further explanation or clarification, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

18%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "how could that be" is a common and grammatically correct way to express surprise, disbelief, or a request for explanation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, and academia. While versatile, it's best used to invite genuine clarification and avoided in sarcastic or overly argumentative situations. Remember, there are many alternative phrases to achieve the desired effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how is that possible

Replaces 'could' with 'is' and 'be' with 'possible', shifting the focus to possibility rather than ability.

why is that the case

Replaces 'how could' with 'why is', focusing on the reason behind a situation.

how can that be true

Substitutes 'could' with 'can' and introduces the concept of truth, questioning the veracity of something.

is that really the case

Phrases shifts from direct questioning to a more skeptical inquiry regarding a situation.

what are the reasons for that

Changes the question to specifically ask about the reasons or causes.

what makes you say that

Changes from questioning a situation to directly questioning the source of information or the reasoning behind a statement.

what's the explanation for that

Replaces the expression of disbelief with a direct request for an explanation.

is there any explanation for that

Poses a question about whether an explanation even exists.

can you explain that

More direct and less suggestive of disbelief than the original phrase.

i don't understand that

Expresses a lack of comprehension rather than direct questioning.

FAQs

How to use "how could that be" in a sentence?

Use "how could that be" to express surprise, disbelief, or a request for explanation. For example, "The weather forecast said it would be sunny, but it's raining. "How could that be"?"

What's the difference between "how could that be" and "how is that possible"?

"How could that be" implies a sense of disbelief or questioning of ability or reason, while "how is that possible" focuses more on the feasibility or possibility of something.

When is it appropriate to use "how could that be"?

It's appropriate to use "how could that be" when you genuinely question or doubt something you've heard or observed, and you're looking for an explanation.

What are some alternative ways to express the same sentiment as "how could that be"?

You can use phrases like "is that really the case", "why is that the case", or "what are the reasons for that" to express similar sentiments of disbelief or questioning.