could be very helpful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be very helpful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when suggesting that something has the potential to provide assistance or support in a particular situation. Example: "This new software could be very helpful in streamlining our workflow and improving productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

If your school offers SAT help booklets, unless you already own them, they could be very helpful to your level.

WikiHow

It could be very helpful.

Independent

Strangers, I discovered, could be very helpful and endlessly fascinating.

The Guardian - Travel

"It could be very helpful to New Yorkers," she said.

The New York Times

Making the blame more diffuse could be very helpful for them in the longer term".

The Guardian - Business

"I think integration of the two systems could be very helpful for the patients".

The Guardian

"A dynamic and charismatic first lady could be very helpful in creating this image of Camelot.

The New York Times

"Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus could be very helpful with their voices," Wyman said in the interview.

The New York Times - Sports

The information that the S.E.C. unearths could be very helpful for private lawsuits against the company, he said.

The New York Times

Of the writers, he said, "We felt we could learn from them, and we could be very helpful to them".

The New York Times

The central bank has adopted a more aggressive monetary policy that could be very helpful to the recovering economy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could be very helpful" when suggesting a potential benefit or positive outcome, rather than stating a certainty. It's ideal for offering suggestions or possibilities.

Common error

Avoid using "could be very helpful" when the benefit is already confirmed or guaranteed. Instead, use stronger terms like "is" or "will be" to reflect the certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be very helpful" functions as a modal phrase expressing a possibility or suggestion that something has the potential to provide assistance or support. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its versatility across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

56%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could be very helpful" is a versatile expression used to suggest the potential benefit of something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and widely used across diverse contexts including News & Media and Science. While synonyms like "could be very beneficial" and "could be very valuable" offer similar meanings, it's important to consider the nuance each conveys. Remember to use "could be very helpful" when suggesting a possibility, and avoid overstating the certainty of the benefit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be very beneficial

Emphasizes the positive outcomes or advantages that might result.

could be very advantageous

Highlights the potential for gaining an edge or a competitive advantage.

could be very valuable

Focuses on the worth or importance that something might possess.

could be very worthwhile

Suggests that the effort or investment is likely to be justified by the results.

could be very instrumental

Implies a crucial role in achieving a specific outcome.

could prove very helpful

Adds a level of uncertainty, indicating that the helpfulness is contingent on future events.

might be quite beneficial

Softens the assertion with 'might' and uses 'quite' to modulate the degree of benefit.

may be of great assistance

More formal and emphasizes the act of providing help.

has the potential to assist significantly

Focuses on the inherent capability to provide substantial support.

might offer considerable support

Suggests that the support could be substantial or noteworthy.

FAQs

How can I use "could be very helpful" in a sentence?

You can use "could be very helpful" to suggest that something has the potential to provide assistance or support in a particular situation. For example, "This new software "could be very helpful" in streamlining our workflow."

What are some alternatives to "could be very helpful"?

You can use alternatives like "could be very beneficial", "could be very valuable", or "might be quite beneficial" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "could be very helpful"?

Yes, "could be very helpful" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English to express the potential for something to provide assistance or support.

What is the difference between "could be helpful" and "could be very helpful"?

While both phrases suggest a potential benefit, ""could be very helpful"" implies a greater degree of potential assistance or support compared to the simpler phrase "could be helpful".