could only be vs could be only

Both "could only be" and "could be only" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Could only be" is used to emphasize that something is the only possibility, while "could be only" is used to indicate that something is limited to a certain extent.

Last updated: April 07, 2024 • 763 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to emphasize that something is the only possibility.

"could only be"

Use "could only be" when you want to stress that there is no other option or possibility besides the one mentioned.

Examples:

The answer could only be yes.
It could only be him who did it.
This could only be the solution to the problem.

Show examples from the web [+]

My inspiration could only be Ennio Falco.
And that image, I concluded, could only be death.
With an intense charismatic flavor that could only be cyanide.
This authorisation could only be provisional and would be subject to a Union control procedure.
The choice could only be the best.
So guitar strumming could only be regarded as knapsu.
And our skit could only be described as raggedy-awesome.
You could only be telling the truth.
The kind that could only be caused by nitrometh.
I-it could only be worse if you were banng katy.
I could only be so lucky to die in such company.
Those could only be the hands of one person.
There could only be one reason why.
The coracoid process could only be exposed if the arm was raised.
I could only be faithful to my heart.
Which is why Mel and I could only be friends.
I always said that conflict could only be postponed.
It could only be that he's telling the truth.
Sorry it could only be nine today.
I could only be friends with you if you believed in...

Alternatives:

must be
can only be
is the only option

This phrase is correct but less common in English. It is used to indicate that something is limited to a certain extent.

"could be only"

Use "could be only" when you want to convey that something is restricted or limited in some way.

Examples:

The store could be only open on weekends.
The offer could be only valid for a limited time.
The event could be only for invited guests.

Show examples from the web [+]

But it's temperature could be only 50 degrees above absolute zero.
There could be only one additional connected electrical device to prevent the plugs talked.
26 History & arguments 58 The New Overtime Income Threshold Could be Only the Beginning
overtimethreshold The New Overtime Income Threshold Could be Only the Beginning - Finally, real movement toward shorter working hours 8,049 words (2015)
Communication could be only one way.
There could be only one possible answer.
The Contract could be only modified for enrolled, with the company of Pierluigi Lorenzi.
Instead, it could be only connected to the phone via Zune.
But such an impression could be only fleeting.
Tilly thinks there could be only one reason, that Noah was running a Ponzi scheme.
Alexander again refused the offer of Darius, insisting that there could be only one king of Asia.
The killers sent to assault the president's car, instead, could be only unskilled workers recruited on the road.
Do you know, really, there could be only one.
There could be only one true Church, said the young theologian, therefore kings ought to make an utter end of popery.
Until now, these deficiency symptoms could be only partially remedied by food supplements or vitamin and mineral enriched foods.
Or there could be only one question printed on only one of our sheets.
Like in that head-chopping-off movie where there could be only one?
In 1695 he was criticized by the pietists because of his excessive long and elaborate music, that could be only appreciated by cantors and organists.
If any of our operations are exposed, it could be only to us, but to the whole country.
Therefore this new product based on microprocessore that could be only for all the applications, and customizable for every system to second of the requirements of the customer, would have constituted an other small industrial revolution.

Alternatives:

might be only
may be limited to
is restricted to

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could only be vs could be only

"could only be"

"could be only"

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