it could be that

USAGE SUMMARY

"it could be that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest a possibility. For example: "It could be that the store is closed today due to the holiday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It could be that bad.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It could be that Obama was right.

The Washington Post

It could be that.' " It was.

The New York Times - Arts

If only it could be that simple.

The New York Times

It could be that Firm A also has medium costs.

Yale University

It could be that, or it could be sky.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It could be that fashion makes sexy TV.

Independent

It could be that muscles are starved for blood.

The New York Times - Health

It could be that periwinkle shirt, my favorite.

The New Yorker

I think we both wished it could be that simple.

The New York Times

It could be that Erdoğan is just a loyal friend.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it could be that" to introduce a tentative explanation or hypothesis, especially when other possibilities exist. It is best suited for situations where you want to present an idea without asserting it as a definitive fact.

Common error

Avoid using "it could be that" excessively in formal or academic writing, where more direct and assertive language is often preferred. Consider stronger alternatives when presenting well-supported arguments.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "it could be that" is to introduce a clause expressing a possibility, suggestion, or hypothesis. Ludwig AI confirms its use in suggesting potential explanations, as seen in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

21%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it could be that" is a versatile phrase used to introduce possibilities and tentative explanations across various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and most commonly found in news, academic, and general writing. While suitable for neutral and informal settings, consider stronger alternatives for formal or assertive communication. The phrase serves to present ideas without asserting them as definitive facts, making it useful for speculation and hypothesis. It is a very common expression, widely recognized and understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's possible that

Replaces the modal verb "could" with "is possible", maintaining a similar level of certainty.

it may be that

Substitutes "could" with "may", suggesting a slightly weaker possibility.

it is conceivable that

Emphasizes the possibility, though potentially less common in everyday speech.

it is likely that

Suggests a higher probability than "it could be that".

it's probable that

Similar to "it is likely that", indicating a good chance of something being true.

it is suggested that

Emphasizes that someone is implying an idea, usually through evidence.

the possibility exists that

More formal way of saying something might happen or be true.

one possibility is that

Highlights that it is just one potential scenario among others.

perhaps

A single word replacement indicating a possibility, often used as an introductory adverb.

maybe

A single word replacement also indicating a possibility, more informal than perhaps.

FAQs

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

Use "it could be that" to introduce a possibility or a tentative explanation. For example, "It could be that the flight is delayed due to bad weather."

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

You can use alternatives such as "it's possible that", "it may be that", or "perhaps" to express similar ideas of possibility.

Is "it could be that" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "it could be that" might sound informal in some formal contexts. Consider using more assertive alternatives like "it is likely that" or "it is suggested that" for a more professional tone.

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

"It could be that" indicates a possibility, while "it is that" asserts a fact. Using "it could be" implies uncertainty, while "it is" presents something as true.