could be greater

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be greater" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing potential improvements or possibilities that exceed the current state or level of something. Example: "The team's performance this season is good, but it could be greater if they focused on their communication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The political significance could be greater still.

The Guardian

If so, the risk of transmission could be greater.

The New York Times

Asia's contribution to the UN, though significant, could be greater.

The Guardian - Opinion

But for hotel and rental car packages, the supply -- and demand -- could be greater.

The New York Times

But they also cautioned that the losses could be greater than the banks believed.

The New York Times

Do I think that in some sense there could be greater integration?

The Guardian

A third could be greater uncertainty about exchange rates since the 1997 Asian crisis.

The Economist

But it appears the short-term hit could be greater than economists previously thought.

The New York Times

By many accounts, the crowds could be greater here than in Tampa, too.

The New York Times

For Philip Morris, with more than half of the United States market, the gains could be greater.

The New York Times

If relative wages are set to decline, the pain in New York could be greater than in other regions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could be greater", ensure the context clearly indicates what the potential increase or improvement applies to. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "could be greater" without specifying what it is being compared to. For example, instead of saying "The impact could be greater", specify "The impact could be greater than anticipated."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be greater" functions as a modal phrase expressing possibility and comparison. It suggests that a certain quantity, quality, or impact has the potential to exceed its current level. Ludwig confirms its common and correct usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could be greater" is a versatile expression used to convey the possibility of something increasing or improving. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and widespread use across various contexts. As this analysis demonstrates, this phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for formal, neutral, and informal registers. When using "could be greater", clarity is crucial; always specify what is being compared. Alternatives like "might be larger" or "may be increased" can be used depending on the desired nuance. This phrase appears frequently in news, scientific, and business sources, highlighting its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be larger

Replaces "greater" with "larger", indicating a difference in magnitude.

may be increased

Uses passive voice and focuses on the action of increasing.

can be amplified

Implies a deliberate effort to make something larger or more intense.

might be more significant

Substitutes "greater" with "more significant", focusing on importance.

has potential to expand

Highlights the capacity for growth or extension.

can be elevated

Focuses on raising something to a higher level.

can reach higher levels

Specifies that something can achieve a greater height.

can be maximized

Emphasizes the possibility of achieving the highest possible level.

might be improved

Focuses on the potential for betterment or enhancement.

can be augmented

Implies that something can be increased by adding to it.

FAQs

How do I use "could be greater" in a sentence?

Use "could be greater" to express the possibility of something increasing or improving beyond its current state. For example, "The benefits of this policy "could be greater" than initially estimated."

What's a more formal way to say "could be greater"?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "may be increased", "has the potential to expand", or "might be more significant". These options offer a similar meaning with a slightly more elevated tone.

Which is correct, "could be greater" or "could be more great"?

"Could be greater" is the correct and more idiomatic phrasing. "Could be more great" is grammatically awkward and not commonly used.

What can I say instead of "could be greater" to emphasize improvement?

To emphasize improvement, consider phrases like "might be improved" or "can be enhanced" which focus specifically on making something better.