～と(も)言える

About

～と言いえる is a combination of the と quotation marker and the potential form of the verb 言いう.

～と言いえる means "one could say X/it could be said that X", and is most commonly (but not exclusively) used in formal/written contexts.

E.g. このプロジェクトが成功せいこうしたのはボブさんのおかげと言いえます。 "It could be said that this project succeeded thanks to Bob."

～と言いえる's main purpose is to avoid being too direct.

By adding も to form 「～とも言いえる」, we can add "also" indicating that there is an alternative option ("one could also say X").

E.g. あの店みせのピザの味あじは世界せかい一いちとも言いえる。 "It could also be said that that store's pizza is the best in the world."

だろう・でしょう can be added to the end of a ～と言いえる statement to add another layer of uncertainty.

E.g. 部活ぶかつでのトレーニングが、人生じんせいで一番いちばん辛つらい経験けいけんと言いえるだろう。 "One could say that training for club activities is the toughest experience in life."

Compared to the similar pattern. 「～と言いってもいい」, ～と言いえる sounds more certain.

～と言いえる is fairly interchangeable with the stiff phrase, 「～と言いっても過言かごんではない」 in any formal context.

Summary

• 

  ～と言いえる is a combination of the と quotation marker and the potential form of the verb 言いう

• 

  ～と言いえる means "one could say X/it could be said that X"

• 

  ～と言いえる is most commonly (but not exclusively) used in formal/written contexts

• 

  ～と言いえる's main purpose is to avoid being too direct