it could be maintained that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it could be maintained that" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to introduce an argument or assertion that one believes can be supported or defended. Example: "In the context of climate change, it could be maintained that immediate action is necessary to mitigate its effects."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It could be maintained that, at least as far as Vietnam is concerned, the Pres.

The New Yorker

Ross wrote that: "As a member of the civil nuclear energy programme of the United Kingdom I have for several years assured my critics that civil nuclear energy is distinct from military nuclear energy... if at this juncture the UK were to sell plutonium to the Reagan administration, I do not rationally think it could be maintained that we, the UK, have distinguished civil use from military use".

The Guardian

(Alternatively, of course, it could be maintained that even events with trivial chances happen by chance.

SEP

In fact, it could be maintained that the Imaginary invariably involves category mistakes.

SEP

Then, consistent with all empirical phenomena, it could be maintained that Euclidean geometry was compatible with Einstein's theory if only one allowed the existence of such forces.

SEP

On the other hand it could be maintained that whilst children lack agency they certainly have fundamental interests meriting protection and thus at least have welfare rights (Brighouse 2002).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

There we asked whether QS could be stable as a regulatory mechanism of bacteriocin (anti-competitor toxin) production, and concluded that it could be maintained only when the competing strains were unrelated, and not when the bacteriocin is aimed at related strains which can share the signaling and responding genes involved in QS.

Plosone

As revealed by the lower number of SNPs and indels in human, adaptive selection in the chimp/human ancestral branch (with a much larger Ne) might increase the fitness of PIPSL to an extent such that it could be maintained in the current population under selective constraint.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

However, not all patients with stable DAS28 (ESR) <2.6 with ADA and MTX could be maintained in that state after ADA discontinuation.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

"So when we look at the very rapid rate of growth in investment here in the US, it is hard to see how that could be maintained without the policy mechanism that spurred that growth".

BBC

Thus, some explanation is required to justify how retrogenes could be maintained given that Drosophila has a pronounced mutation bias towards deletions [ 21], which is expected to degenerate the retrogene.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it could be maintained that" to introduce a point that you believe can be defended with evidence or logical reasoning. It signals that the following statement is not necessarily a universally accepted truth, but a tenable position.

Common error

While "it could be maintained that" is a valid construction, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and formulaic. Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms or alternative ways of introducing arguments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it could be maintained that" functions as a modal hedge, softening a statement and indicating that the speaker is presenting an argument that can be defended, but is not necessarily a universally accepted truth. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

29%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it could be maintained that" serves as a formal way to introduce a defensible argument or proposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and most frequently encountered in scientific and academic contexts. While valid, it's essential to use this phrase judiciously to avoid sounding repetitive. Consider alternatives like "it can be argued that" or "one could suggest that" to vary your writing and maintain reader engagement. Remember that this phrase is best suited for situations where a reasoned, evidence-based argument is being presented, rather than a mere statement of belief.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it can be argued that

Emphasizes the argumentative nature of the statement.

it may be asserted that

Highlights the act of asserting a viewpoint.

it might be contended that

Implies a degree of debate or disagreement.

one could suggest that

Introduces the idea as a suggestion, softening the claim.

it is plausible that

Focuses on the believability or likelihood of the statement.

it is conceivable that

Highlights the possibility or imaginability of the claim.

it is possible that

Indicates that something is within the realm of possibility.

one might presume that

Suggests an assumption based on available evidence.

it would seem that

Indicates an apparent conclusion based on observation.

it is reasonable to assume that

Suggests that there is a good reason to believe something.

FAQs

How can I use "it could be maintained that" in a sentence?

The phrase "it could be maintained that" introduces an idea that you believe has merit and can be supported with reasoning or evidence. For example, "It could be maintained that increased funding for education leads to greater economic prosperity".

What are some alternatives to "it could be maintained that"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it can be argued that", "it may be asserted that", or "one could suggest that". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it could be maintained that" formal or informal?

"It could be maintained that" leans toward the formal side. In more casual contexts, you might prefer simpler phrases like "it's possible that" or "some people think".

What's the difference between "it could be maintained that" and "it is believed that"?

"It could be maintained that" implies that there is a reasoned argument to support the idea, whereas "it is believed that" suggests a widespread belief, which may or may not be based on evidence. The first is focused on a defenseable point; the second on popularity of belief.