it be that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it be that" is not correct in standard written English.
It is an archaic or dialectal construction and is rarely used in contemporary writing. Example: "Could it be that we have misunderstood the instructions?"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Could it be that simple?

The New York Times

Could it be that small a world?

The New Yorker

Couldn't it be that way again?

The New Yorker

"Could it be that Dachau?" I wondered.

The New York Times

Can it be that simple?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Let it be that way.

The New York Times

Will it be that way this year?

The New York Times - Sports

Could it be that Castro was mortal?

The Guardian

But must it be that way?

The New York Times

I insist in advance that it be that way.

The New York Times

Twenty years ago — can it be that long?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "it be that" in formal writing or standard English. Opt for alternatives like "could it be that" or "is it possible that" to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

Don't use "it be that" in modern contexts. This phrasing is outdated and can make your writing sound unnatural or uneducated. Instead, choose a more current and grammatically accepted alternative such as "could it be that" or "is it that".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it be that" functions as an archaic or non-standard way to introduce a clause expressing possibility, doubt, or questioning a situation. Ludwig AI indicates that this construction is not correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

23%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it be that" functions to express speculation or uncertainty, but Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect in contemporary standard English. While examples can be found across various sources, including news and media outlets, its archaic nature makes it unsuitable for formal writing. To ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy, opt for alternatives like "could it be that" or "is it possible that". Keep in mind that while the phrase may be understood, its usage may detract from the overall professionalism of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could it possibly be that

Adds emphasis to the possibility being considered, highlighting uncertainty.

is it conceivable that

Emphasizes the difficulty or unlikelihood of something being true.

might it not be the case that

Introduces a formal tone, suggesting an alternative explanation.

is it imaginable that

Focuses on whether something is within the realm of possibility.

can it really be true that

Expresses surprise or disbelief about a particular fact.

is it at all possible that

Questions whether something is remotely likely to happen or be true.

could it just be that

Suggests a simple explanation might be the correct one.

is there a chance that

Implies a question of probability, suggesting a low likelihood.

do you suppose that

Asks for another person's opinion or conjecture about a situation.

is it likely that

Inquires about the probability of a certain event or situation.

FAQs

What is the correct way to phrase a question using "that"?

The correct way to phrase a question is with more common phrases like "Could "could it be that"" or "Is it possible that" instead of the archaic form "it be that".

What can I say instead of "it be that" to sound more modern?

Use alternatives such as "is it possible that", ""could it be that"", or "might it be that" to ensure your writing is grammatically correct and sounds contemporary.

Which is correct, "it be that" or "could it be that"?

"Could "could it be that"" is grammatically correct and widely accepted in modern English. "It be that" is an archaic or dialectal construction and is generally considered incorrect in standard written English.

Is "it be that" ever acceptable to use?

While "it be that" might appear in older texts or certain dialects, it is not recommended for contemporary standard English. In most contexts, phrases like "is it possible that" or ""could it be that"" are preferred for clarity and grammatical correctness.