I wrote this sentence:
Beside the main content, a web page may comprise of distracting parts such as ads, animations, logos, that can degrade the readability of the main content and pose difficulties to readers. In addition to these factors, colour contrast, font style, letter spacing, layout, line height and length of the content are among of the other factors that affect the readability of a web page. These problems could be more serious for specific population such as older adults, visually impaired users, non-native readers (those reading a page in a non-native language).
I guess the bold phrase should be common when someone want to say, the problem is more serious for specific group. but I wonder the Google results for it is just 2 case.
Are there better alternatives for my purpose?
Update: As I searched more "the problem could be more serious" (119000) and "the problem is more serious" (about 8 million results). I am convinced that I'd better use the latter phrase, but why so much difference? is "these problems" that odd?
Best Answer
The use of subjunctive mood ('could' instead of 'can') is probably due to the unlikeliness of "specific population" visiting that page. The use of 'can/could be' instead of 'is' most likely due to the same notion - possibility.
The problem does not exist unless we have evidence to support it. If there is no evidence but speculation, and the conditions are likely to lead to the problem, then the usual way to say is "can be". If the circumstances are questionable for the problem to arise, or predicated on some coincidence, then "could be" is advised.
Compare:
As to your question about the possibility to improve, perhaps, but it is quite OK as it is. And it depends on what exactly you would like to say.