they could be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they could be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a possibility or potential regarding a subject or situation. Example: "If the weather improves, they could be ready for the event by next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They could be dolphins".

The New Yorker

They could be right.

The New York Times

They could be hot.

The New York Times

They could be Isis.

Independent

They could be dead".

The New York Times

But they could be.

The New York Times

They could be anyone.

The New Yorker

"They could be poisonous.

The New Yorker

They could be biased.

The New York Times

They could be wrong.

The New York Times

They could be silenced tomorrow.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they could be" to express a plausible scenario or potential outcome, especially when presenting multiple possibilities.

Common error

Avoid starting too many sentences with "they could be" as it can make your writing sound repetitive and less assertive. Vary your sentence structure by using alternatives like "perhaps" or "it's possible".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they could be" functions as a modal phrase expressing possibility or potential. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used to introduce speculative scenarios or potential outcomes. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its versatile usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they could be" is a versatile phrase used to express possibility, potential, or speculation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It is particularly common in news and media, though applicable across a range of contexts from scientific to informal writing. While it's a valuable tool for expressing uncertainty, be mindful of overuse. Alternatives such as "they might be" or "it's possible that they are" can provide stylistic variation. Ludwig's examples showcase how "they could be" enhances discussions of potential identities, conditions, and future events, all while maintaining a neutral tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they might be

Replaces the modal verb "could" with "might", indicating a slightly lower degree of possibility.

they may be

Substitutes "could" with "may", similar to "might", expressing possibility.

they can be

Uses "can" instead of "could", suggesting possibility based on ability or capacity.

it is possible that they are

Introduces a formal construction expressing possibility.

it's conceivable that they are

Emphasizes the conceivability of a situation, making it a more formal alternative.

they are potentially

Highlights the potential state or condition of a subject.

they would be

Shifts the sense to a conditional state, indicating what might happen under certain circumstances.

perhaps they are

Adds an adverb to soften the statement and indicate uncertainty.

conceivably, they are

Similar to "perhaps", but with a slightly more formal tone.

it's within the realm of possibility that they are

Expresses possibility in a more elaborate and emphatic way.

FAQs

How can I use "they could be" in a sentence?

Use "they could be" to suggest a possibility or potential. For example, "If the weather improves, "they could be" ready for the event by next week".

What can I say instead of "they could be"?

You can use alternatives like "they might be", "they may be", or "it is possible that they are" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "they could be" or "they can be"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "they could be" expresses possibility, while "they can be" expresses ability or capacity. The choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "they could be" and "they would be"?

"They could be" suggests a possibility. "They would be" expresses a conditional statement or hypothetical situation, indicating what might happen under certain circumstances.