could be starting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be starting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a possibility or uncertainty about the beginning of an action or event. Example: "The meeting could be starting soon, so we should get ready."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

That could be starting to change.

The New York Times

But Girardi's patience could be starting to fray.

The New York Times

There are indications it could be starting to pay off.

Independent

That is a sign things could be starting to stabilize.

The New York Times

"We could be starting like Golden State, we could be starting like Chicago," Jared Jeffries said, referring to the 0-5 Wandiors and the 1-5 Bulls.

The New York Times - Sports

Jen Bluestein, a spokeswoman for Mr. Ferrer, said the candidate could be starting a trend.

The New York Times

The data were seen as a sign that the economy could be starting to recover.

The New York Times

For example, Mr. Romney's advertising advantage in swing states could be starting to pay dividends.

The New York Times

Prices rose more than expected in October, a sign that inflation could be starting to tick up.

The New York Times

Carr had raised concerns that operators of failing colleges could be starting up new training organisations with limited scrutiny.

The Guardian

He said: "While the jobs data look solid, there are some signs that employment growth could be starting to lose momentum.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When clarity and precision are crucial, consider alternatives like "might be beginning" or "may be commencing" to fine-tune the nuance of your message.

Common error

While "could be starting" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal or scientific writing. Opt for stronger verbs or more precise phrasing to enhance credibility and clarity. For example, instead of "the experiment could be starting soon", consider "the experiment will commence shortly".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be starting" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing possibility or potentiality regarding the commencement of an action or event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be starting" is a grammatically correct and widely used modal verb phrase that indicates a possibility or potential future action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, but also in scientific and business communications. While highly versatile, it's important to be mindful of the context and consider more precise alternatives for formal writing. When choosing between "could" and "might", understand that the difference is subtle but depends on the level of certainty you want to convey. Overall, "could be starting" is a valuable tool for expressing uncertainty about the beginning of an event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be beginning

Expresses a similar degree of possibility and initiation, but with a slightly more formal tone.

may be commencing

Suggests a more formal and official start, implying a structured beginning.

might commence

Similar to "may be commencing" but more concise.

could commence

Another formal equivalent to "could be starting", but more direct.

is potentially beginning

Emphasizes the potential aspect of the start, highlighting uncertainty.

is possibly initiating

Focuses on the act of initiating something, suggesting a process is underway.

is perhaps getting underway

Suggests a more informal start, often implying that things are gradually beginning.

may get going

Informal, suggesting an activity or process is about to commence.

might get underway

A slightly more formal alternative to "may get going", indicating a scheduled or planned start.

is on the verge of starting

Indicates an imminent start, suggesting that something is about to begin very soon.

FAQs

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

"Could be starting" is used to express a possibility about an action or event that may begin. For example, "The meeting "could be starting" soon, so let's get ready".

What are some alternatives to "could be starting"?

Alternatives include "might be beginning", "may be commencing", or "is potentially beginning", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "could be starting" grammatically correct?

Yes, "could be starting" is grammatically correct. It uses the modal verb "could" to express possibility, followed by the auxiliary verb "be" and the present participle "starting" to form a continuous aspect.

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

Both "could be starting" and "might be starting" express possibility. The difference is subtle, with "could" sometimes suggesting a slightly higher degree of possibility than "might", but in most contexts, they are interchangeable.