could come from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could come from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to suggest a possible origin or source of something. Example: "The strange noise we heard last night could come from the old pipes in the basement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

More could come from Norway.

The Economist

Salvation could come from unexpected corners.

The New York Times

Or the growth could come from within.

The New York Times - Sports

Perhaps 10bcm could come from Norway.

The Economist

It could come from corporate profits.

The New York Times

"They could come from sites.

The New York Times

These could come from resting on laurels.

The Guardian - Sport

This time salvation could come from the Palestinians themselves.

The Economist

A further equity offering could come from BTG Pactual itself.

The New York Times

Help could come from another quarter of the federal government.

The New York Times

Another challenge for Canal Plus could come from regulators.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could come from" to introduce a range of possibilities, avoiding definitive statements when the origin is uncertain. It's helpful when exploring potential sources or causes.

Common error

While versatile, relying too heavily on "could come from" can make your writing sound speculative. Consider stronger verbs like "originates from" or "derives from" for directness and authority in academic or professional contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could come from" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating possibility or potential origin. It suggests that something has the capacity or likelihood to originate from a particular source. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Reference

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could come from" is a versatile phrase used to suggest potential origins or sources, functioning as a modal verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is common across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal business settings. When writing, be aware of overuse in formal contexts and consider stronger verbs for directness. Alternative phrases include "might originate from" or "may derive from". The phrase allows for speculation and exploration of possibilities without asserting definitive origins, making it a valuable tool in various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might originate from

Emphasizes the potential starting point or beginning of something, suggesting a more formal tone.

may derive from

Highlights the process of obtaining or receiving something from a source, often implying a transformation or development.

could stem from

Suggests that something arises as a consequence or result of something else, often implying a causal relationship.

might be attributed to

Focuses on assigning a cause or origin to something, often used when the exact source is uncertain.

may be linked to

Indicates a connection or association between two things, suggesting a possible relationship but not necessarily a direct cause.

can be traced back to

Implies a process of following something to its origin, often used when investigating historical or developmental roots.

is potentially sourced from

Highlights the possibility of obtaining something from a specific origin, often used in technical or scientific contexts.

can conceivably arise from

Suggests a theoretical possibility of something emerging from a particular source, often used in speculative or hypothetical scenarios.

potentially emerge from

Emphasizes the act of something coming out or developing from a specific origin, often implying a gradual or unexpected process.

possibly be born of

Implies that something is created or generated from a particular source, often used in metaphorical or artistic contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "could come from" in a sentence?

Use "could come from" to suggest a possible origin or source, such as, "The solution "could come from" a different department" or "The funding "could come from" private investors".

What are some alternatives to "could come from"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "might originate from", "may derive from", or "could stem from".

Is it correct to say "could coming from" instead of "could come from"?

No, "could coming from" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""could come from"", where 'come' is the base form of the verb.

What's the difference between "could result from" and "could come from"?

"Could result from" implies a consequence or outcome, while ""could come from"" indicates a potential source or origin. For example, "The problem "could result from" a software bug," versus "The solution "could come from" the IT department".