could occur

USAGE SUMMARY

"could occur" is correct and usable in written English.
It may be used when referring to a possibility that something may happen, either in the present or future. For example: "The effects of climate change could occur sooner than we expect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

That could occur.

The New York Times - Sports

The incredible could occur.

The New York Times

Lapses could occur.

The New York Times

"It all could occur faster.

The New York Times - Arts

This could occur in many other places.

The New York Times

Those developments could occur concurrently tomorrow.

The New York Times - Sports

But a similar thing could occur again.

The New York Times - Sports

So such blatant sexism could occur again?

The Guardian - Sport

A similar trajectory could occur here.

The Guardian - Film

Otherwise, further financial crises could occur, he warned.

The Guardian - Opinion

Total demolition could occur before the end of the month.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could occur" when discussing potential future events or possibilities, especially in scenarios where the outcome is uncertain but plausible.

Common error

While grammatically sound, relying heavily on "could occur" might make your writing sound repetitive. Consider using synonyms like "might happen", "may arise", or "is possible" to vary your sentence structure and maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could occur" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating a possibility or potential. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for written English. The modal verb "could" modifies the action verb "occur", expressing a conditional or uncertain outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could occur" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to express the possibility of an event. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. The analysis reveals that it is most commonly found in News & Media and Science sources, indicating its versatility in conveying potential outcomes. When aiming for variety in writing, consider alternatives such as "might happen" or "may arise", as they nuance the degree of possibility. The phrase is a valuable tool for expressing uncertainty and potential in a clear and concise manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might happen

Replaces "could" with "might", indicating a slightly lower degree of possibility.

may take place

Substitutes "occur" with "take place", offering a more formal alternative.

might arise

Replaces "happen" with "arise", suggesting the emergence of something, potentially a problem or situation.

may come about

Uses "come about" instead of "occur", implying a gradual development or unfolding of events.

could transpire

Employs "transpire" in place of "occur", adding a sense of formality and often referring to the unfolding of events.

is possible

Simplifies the phrase to a more direct statement of possibility.

can happen

Replaces the conditional "could" with "can", indicating a general possibility.

potentially arise

Combines the idea of potential with emergence, suggesting that something could develop.

is liable to happen

Uses "liable to happen", indicating a higher probability compared to "could occur".

is apt to occur

Replaces with "apt to occur", which implies that something is likely or has a natural tendency to happen.

FAQs

How can I use "could occur" in a sentence?

"Could occur" is used to express a possibility. For example: "Delays "could occur" due to unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "could occur"?

Alternatives include phrases like "might happen", "may arise", or "is possible", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "could occur"?

Yes, "could occur" is grammatically correct and widely accepted in both formal and informal writing. It indicates a potential event or situation.

What's the difference between "could occur" and "will occur"?

"Could occur" implies a possibility, while "will occur" suggests a certainty. "The meeting "could occur" next week" means it's a possibility, but "The meeting "will occur" next week" means it's scheduled.