could have stalled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could have stalled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a possibility in the past where something might have stopped or delayed progress. Example: "The project could have stalled if we hadn't received the necessary funding on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Given the continuing reservations of the Marine Corps, that could have stalled progress indefinitely.

The New York Times

Without the agreement, he said, fresh payouts to customers could have stalled "for at least two or three years".

The New York Times

He had a 6 4 advantage with 12 seconds left in his bout against Oklahoma State's Dakota Geer and could have stalled as the clock ran out.

Princeton University

Republicans, who had also taken back control of the Senate that year, could have stalled for a few weeks and turned the seat over to Reagan to fill.

The New Yorker

Once over the American encampments, the toxic plume could have stalled and fallen back to the surface because of weather conditions, the paper says.

The New York Times

Rubio's opposition could have stalled Tillerson in the committee.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Buses and bus stations have been targeted, while plans by the previous government to build a mass transit system that could be bombed in future have stalled along with coalition talks.

The Guardian - Opinion

And in the Senate, which requires a two-thirds vote to bring bills to the floor for consideration, mandate-relief proposals have stalled — though they could also potentially live on as amendments, at least until the session ends on May 30.

The New York Times

But talks have stalled.

The Economist

Exports have stalled.

The Economist

Others have stalled.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could have stalled", ensure the context clearly indicates what potential action or event was at risk of being delayed or stopped. For example, "The negotiations could have stalled if the mediator hadn't intervened."

Common error

Avoid using "could have stalled" when you mean something has definitively stalled. "Could have stalled" indicates a possibility that did not necessarily occur, whereas "has stalled" indicates a current state of being stopped.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could have stalled" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a past possibility that something was at risk of being delayed or stopped. Ludwig provides examples illustrating this use in various contexts, emphasizing potential rather than actual outcomes.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could have stalled" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to express a past possibility of something being delayed or stopped. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and showcases its usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news and academic settings. While not exceedingly common, the phrase serves a crucial function in speculative analysis. Remembering the conditional tense and context will ensure the phrase is used accurately, differentiating it from definitive statements of something actually having stalled.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might have delayed

This directly suggests a postponement or slowing of progress, focusing on the time aspect of stalling.

could have hindered

This alternative implies a slowing down or making something more difficult, akin to stalling progress.

may have postponed

Similar to 'might have delayed', this option emphasizes a temporary suspension or rescheduling.

may have set back

This alternative emphasizes a regression or setback in progress, implying a temporary delay.

might have impeded

This alternative suggests a hindering effect, similar to stalling, but implies a more forceful obstruction.

might have curtailed

This suggests a reduction or limitation in scope or extent, implying a partial stalling of progress.

would have halted

This suggests a complete stop, indicating a more definitive cessation than "stalled".

may have obstructed

This phrase indicates a blockage or barrier, conveying a stronger sense of prevention than "stalled".

would have blocked

Similar to 'would have halted', but it implies that an obstacle was put in the way.

could have prevented

This highlights the aspect of stopping something from happening, a stronger implication than simply stalling.

FAQs

How can I use "could have stalled" in a sentence?

Use "could have stalled" to suggest a past possibility where something might have stopped or been delayed. For instance, "The project "could have stalled" if funding hadn't arrived on time."

What's the difference between "could have stalled" and "has stalled"?

"Could have stalled" indicates a potential past event that didn't necessarily happen, while "has stalled" means something is currently stopped or delayed. For example, "The negotiations could have stalled, but they progressed" versus "The negotiations "have stalled" due to disagreements."

What are some alternatives to "could have stalled"?

Consider using phrases like "might have delayed", "may have obstructed", or "would have halted" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "could have stalled"?

It's appropriate when discussing potential past scenarios where progress or an action was at risk of being impeded but didn't necessarily come to a complete stop. For example, "The merger "could have stalled" due to regulatory hurdles, but the issues were resolved."