it could even be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it could even be' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to suggest a possibility that might be more extreme than what has already been suggested. For example: "The project might take one month to complete, but it could even be two months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It could even be stronger.

The Economist

It could even be zero.

The New York Times

"It could even be decades".

The New York Times

It could even be played in groups!

The New Yorker

It could even be Mr Yushchenko.

The Economist

It could even be quite violent.

The Economist

It could even be Rubio or Cruz".

The New Yorker

It could even be a tourist destination.

The New York Times

It could even be foreign-owned corporations.

The Washington Post

It could even be a preferable course.

The New Yorker

It could even be counter-productive.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it could even be" to introduce a scenario that is less obvious or represents an extreme possibility compared to what has been previously mentioned. It adds a layer of surprise or escalation to the statement.

Common error

While versatile, "it could even be" is less suited for highly formal or technical writing. In such contexts, consider using more precise language that clearly indicates probability or possibility without relying on the more conversational tone of "it could even be".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it could even be" functions as an introductory expression, presenting a possibility, often one that is more surprising or extreme than what has been previously stated. As supported by Ludwig AI, this structure is grammatically correct and commonly employed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it could even be" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a possibility that extends beyond the obvious, frequently adding an element of surprise or escalation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the expression is grammatically sound and widely employed, especially in news and media. While frequent, the phrase is best suited for neutral contexts and should be used judiciously in more formal or technical writing, where precision is paramount. Understanding its appropriate usage and exploring related phrases can help improve clarity and impact in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It might even be

Uses 'might' instead of 'could', suggesting a slightly weaker possibility.

It may even be

Substitutes 'could' with 'may', indicating a similar level of possibility.

It could potentially be

Adds 'potentially' to emphasize the possibility.

It could conceivably be

Replaces 'even' with 'conceivably', highlighting the plausibility, though perhaps unlikely.

It is even possible that it could be

Adds more emphasis by explicitly stating it's possible.

It is not out of the question that it could be

Expresses the idea that something is possible even if unexpected.

It is even conceivable that it could be

Adds a higher level of unexpectedness or surprise.

Conceivably, it could be

Starts the sentence with the adverb "conceivably" to emphasize unexpectedness.

Potentially, it could be

Starts the sentence with the adverb "potentially" to emphasize the possibility.

It might just be

It express the possibility of an eventuality.

FAQs

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

Use "it could even be" to introduce a possibility that's surprising or adds to a previously stated scenario. For instance, "The delay might last a few hours; "it could even be" overnight".

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

Alternatives include "it might be", "it may be", or "it is possible", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

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

While grammatically correct, "it could even be" is generally more appropriate for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise language to indicate possibility or likelihood.

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

"It could be" suggests a simple possibility, while "it could even be" introduces a possibility that is more surprising, extreme, or less likely than what has already been suggested. The use of "even" adds emphasis.