could be won

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be won" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the possibility of achieving victory or success in a competition or situation. Example: "With the right strategy and teamwork, the championship could be won by our team this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it could be won on Facebook.

The Guardian

Boyle said the fight to end hunger could be won.

The Guardian

An in-out referendum in this country could be won.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Knicks proved a game could be won.

The New York Times

"We wanted to show it's a battle that could be won," Banerjee says.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

As a result, wars could be won through one large, well-planned battle.

The New York Times

Still remaining, however, is the free skate, where an Olympic berth could be won or lost.

The New York Times - Sports

So many arguments that could be won on principle are lost on tone.

Independent

Weary of war, few believed that anything could be won, now, through the armed struggle.

The New Yorker

Presumably the third group, and perhaps the second as well, could be won over.

The New York Times

I think (just about) that a straight in-out referendum could be won in Britain.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could be won", consider whether a more direct or active voice would be more impactful. For example, instead of "The election could be won by targeting young voters", you could say "Targeting young voters could win the election".

Common error

Avoid using "could be won" in situations where success is guaranteed or impossible. This phrase is most effective when there is a genuine possibility of either winning or losing. Make sure to provide enough context to show this uncertainty. For example, don't use the phrase if the outcome is pre-determined.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be won" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing possibility or potential. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it is commonly used to indicate that a victory or achievement is attainable under certain circumstances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be won" is a modal verb phrase that expresses possibility or potential for achieving victory or success. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. The phrase's usage is primarily neutral, fitting for news and media, but also applicable in academic, scientific, and general communication. When writing, remember that "could be won" indicates a possibility, not a certainty, and ensure the context makes this clear. While alternative phrasing exists, this is a versatile choice for suggesting potential success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be achieved

Replaces "won" with "achieved", focusing on accomplishment rather than direct competition.

could be attained

Substitutes "won" with "attained", emphasizing the gaining or reaching of a goal.

could be secured

Uses "secured" instead of "won", highlighting the act of making something safe or certain.

might be gained

Replaces "could" with "might" and "won" with "gained", softening the certainty and focusing on acquisition.

can be achieved

Substitutes "could" with "can", indicating a greater degree of possibility or ability.

is potentially winnable

Transforms the phrase into an adjective describing something that has the potential to be won, shifting the focus to the object being won.

has the potential to be won

Emphasizes the inherent possibility of winning, adding a layer of potentiality.

is capable of being won

Highlights the capability or ability for something to be won, focusing on its inherent winnability.

victory is possible

Simplifies the phrase to a statement about the possibility of victory, removing the specific action of winning.

success is attainable

Shifts the focus from winning to overall success, emphasizing the achievability of a positive outcome.

FAQs

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

The phrase "could be won" is used to express the possibility that a game, election, argument, or other type of competition or struggle might be won. For example, "The championship "could be won" with a strong offense".

What are some alternatives to saying "could be won"?

Alternatives to "could be won" include phrases like "could be achieved", "could be attained", or "might be gained", which all suggest a possibility of success or victory.

Is it correct to say "could have been won" instead of "could be won"?

The phrase "could have been won" implies that there was a past opportunity to win that is now gone. "Could be won" suggests a current or future possibility. For example, "The game "could have been won" if they hadn't made that error" (past), versus "The game "could be won" if they improve their defense" (future).

What's the difference between "can be won" and "could be won"?

"Can be won" suggests a higher degree of certainty or feasibility than "could be won". "Can be won" implies that winning is definitely possible, while "could be won" suggests a possibility, but with perhaps more uncertainty or dependence on specific conditions.