could be significant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be significant" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the potential importance or impact of something in a given context. Example: "The findings from this study could be significant in understanding the effects of climate change on local ecosystems."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

That could be significant.

The New York Times - Arts

The difference could be significant.

The Economist

The consequences could be significant.

The New York Times

But this could be significant.

The Guardian - Money

The advantages could be significant.

The Guardian

1.01pm: This could be significant.

The Guardian

The possible benefits could be significant.

The New York Times

The public cost could be significant.

The New York Times

Some of these fines could be "significant", the bank added.

The Guardian - Business

But the benefits to league could be significant.

The Guardian - Sport

The effect on these companies' bottom lines could be significant.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could be significant" when indicating a notable possibility or potential impact, but avoid overusing it to maintain emphasis. Consider stronger alternatives like "will be crucial" when certainty is higher.

Common error

Avoid using "could be significant" for trivial or minor effects. Save it for situations where the potential impact is genuinely noteworthy to prevent diluting its meaning and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be significant" functions as a modal adjective phrase. It expresses a degree of possibility concerning the importance or impact of something. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be significant" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a potential for notable impact or importance. It is grammatically correct and widely employed across various contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While generally suitable, be mindful of overusing it and opt for stronger alternatives when appropriate. Remember to reserve it for truly noteworthy situations to maintain its impact and credibility. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could potentially be impactful

Emphasizes the possibility of having a strong effect.

may lead to important changes

Highlights the potential to instigate meaningful alterations.

might prove substantial

Focuses on the potential for a considerable effect.

may have considerable implications

Highlights the potential long-term effects or consequences.

could turn out to be crucial

Emphasizes the decisive or critical nature of the outcome.

might hold considerable weight

Suggests the potential importance or influence of something.

may well be consequential

Highlights the potential for important results.

might become highly relevant

Focuses on the potential for increased importance or pertinence.

might bear considerable importance

Emphasizes the potential to possess substantial significance.

could evolve into something key

Suggests the potential development into a vital element.

FAQs

How can I use "could be significant" in a sentence?

Use "could be significant" to indicate a potential for a notable impact or effect. For example, "The results of this experiment "could be significant" for future research".

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

You can use alternatives like "might prove substantial", "may have considerable implications", or "could potentially be impactful" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "could be significant" and "is significant"?

"Could be significant" implies a potential or possibility, whereas "is significant" states a current fact. Use "could be significant" when the impact isn't yet certain.

Is "could be significant" too vague for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider stronger, more precise alternatives in formal writing, such as "may lead to important changes" or "might hold considerable weight", to enhance clarity and impact.