could be astonishing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be astonishing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing the potential for something to be surprising or impressive. Example: "The results of the experiment could be astonishing, revealing new insights into the phenomenon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Because you have to pay the money back over 30 years, the amounts of interest you pay could be astonishing".

The Guardian - Money

And with just 1% of the human genome currently reached by drug therapies, the potential of this therapy could be astonishing.

BBC

Phillips' influence could be astonishing.

Los Angeles Times

The dollar amounts could be astonishing unless America finally creates sensible guidelines for political donations.

HuffPost

The UK has just begun its first major public inquiry into undercover policing, and with Britain's covert officers already known to have stolen dead babies' identities, used sexual relationships to get closer to targets, and possibly committed crimes, the next revelations could be astonishing.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

In theory, this feature could be an astonishing time- and money-saver.

The New York Times - Tech

Its spinoffs – post-genomic science – could be as astonishing as those from the microchip have been in the last two decades.

The Guardian

Everyone was talking about how the artist normally known for his ugly portraits could be an astonishing colorist, every bit as complicated as Picasso, Velasquez, Matisse and many photographers (Muybridge) and filmmakers (Eisenstein) whom he took as inspiration.

Huffington Post

It would be astonishing if he could pull this off.

The Guardian - Sport

That would be astonishing.

The Economist

Yet President Trump is preparing what could be the most astonishing and counterproductive instance of central planning the nation has seen in decades.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could be astonishing" to express a sense of anticipation for surprisingly positive outcomes or significant impacts. It is particularly effective when setting expectations or discussing potential future developments.

Common error

Avoid using "could be astonishing" when describing ordinary events or predictable results. Reserve it for situations where genuine surprise or significant impact is plausible to keep its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be astonishing" functions as a modal phrase, expressing a possibility or potential for something to be surprisingly impressive. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it sets expectations for unexpectedly significant or positive outcomes.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could be astonishing" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to indicate the potential for something to be surprisingly impressive. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for expressing anticipation or speculation in a neutral register, often found in news and media contexts. While it is important to reserve the phrase for situations with genuine potential for surprise to maintain its impact, as evidenced by the examples, it is a useful tool for setting expectations and highlighting possible future developments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be surprising

Expresses a possibility of being unexpected; less emphatic than "astonishing".

may be remarkable

Indicates a chance of being noteworthy or extraordinary; uses a more formal tone.

has the potential to amaze

Focuses on the capacity to inspire wonder; more direct in its positive connotation.

could prove to be remarkable

Highlights the process of something becoming remarkable over time.

might turn out to be impressive

Emphasizes the outcome being impressive.

may well be astounding

Emphasizes the likelihood of something being astounding.

can be extraordinary

Focuses on the inherent capacity for something to be extraordinary.

is potentially breathtaking

Highlights the exciting and stunning possibilities.

can develop into something incredible

Suggests a process of growth leading to something incredible.

is capable of being wondrous

Emphasizes the ability to inspire a sense of wonder.

FAQs

How to use "could be astonishing" in a sentence?

Use "could be astonishing" to describe potential outcomes that are surprisingly impressive, like "The impact of this discovery "could be astonishing"."

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

You can use alternatives like "might be surprising", "may be remarkable", or "has the potential to amaze" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "could be astonishing"?

It is appropriate when discussing potential future events or outcomes that have the capacity to create significant surprise or wonder. Avoid using it for trivial matters.

What's the difference between "could be astonishing" and "might be astonishing"?

"Could be astonishing" and "might be astonishing" are nearly interchangeable, both expressing possibility. "Could" sometimes suggests a slightly higher potential or capability, while "might" emphasizes uncertainty.