could prove useful

USAGE SUMMARY

'could prove useful' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to suggest that something might be advantageous in the future, or that it might help to solve a problem. For example: "The information I found on the internet could prove useful when I'm writing my report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A chip that tracks how a police officer's gun is being used could prove useful in investigations and court cases.

MIT Technology Review

It could prove useful reading.

The Guardian - Opinion

In that sense the Scottish experience could prove useful.

The Guardian - Opinion

Legume-projectile criticism could prove useful at readings here.

The New York Times - Magazine

That could prove useful against the speedy Tampa Bay forwards.

The New York Times - Sports

It could prove useful in search and rescue operations and medical applications.

Stanford University

My skills could prove useful to this organization in another role.

Princeton University

That generosity could prove useful should she decide to run for president in 2008.

The New York Times

Mr. Nye, of New York's conservation department, said the study could prove useful in the future.

The New York Times - Science

McCabe's memos could prove useful to Mueller's investigators in their obstruction probe.

The Washington Post

Drugs directed at a key cellular signaling pathway could prove useful for treating skeletal diseases.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could prove useful" when you want to express a possibility, not a certainty. This phrasing introduces an element of contingency, suggesting the usefulness is conditional.

Common error

Avoid using "could prove useful" when the benefit is already well-established or obvious. Opt for stronger language like "will be useful" or "is essential" to reflect the definite nature of the usefulness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could prove useful" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing a possibility or potential outcome. It indicates that something has the potential to be beneficial or advantageous in the future. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

38%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could prove useful" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate a potential future benefit or advantage. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English. It functions as a modal verb phrase, introducing an element of contingency regarding the usefulness of something. While suitable for various contexts, including formal and scientific writing, it's most frequently found in news articles and scientific publications. When using this phrase, remember to consider the level of certainty you want to convey and avoid overstating the benefit if it's already well-established. Alternatives such as "might be beneficial" or "may be valuable" can be used to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be helpful

A more direct substitution, using "helpful" instead of "useful".

might be beneficial

Replaces "prove useful" with "be beneficial", focusing on the positive outcome.

may be valuable

Replaces "prove useful" with "be valuable", emphasizing the worth or importance.

might be of value

Similar to "may be valuable", but with a slightly different phrasing.

may be advantageous

Substitutes "could prove useful" with "may be advantageous", highlighting the potential advantage.

could be of assistance

Replaces "prove useful" with "be of assistance", emphasizing the helping aspect.

could offer benefits

Focuses on the positive outcomes that might result.

could serve a purpose

Shifts the focus to the function or goal that something might fulfill.

may have utility

A more formal alternative, emphasizing the practical application of something.

might come in handy

An informal alternative, suggesting practicality and convenience.

FAQs

How can I use "could prove useful" in a sentence?

Use "could prove useful" to suggest a potential future benefit, as in: "This new technology "could prove useful" in reducing carbon emissions".

What are some alternatives to "could prove useful"?

You can use alternatives like "might be beneficial", "may be valuable", or "could be helpful" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "could prove useful" and "will be useful"?

"Could prove useful" suggests a possibility or potential benefit, while "will be useful" indicates a higher degree of certainty about the benefit.

Is "could be useful" the same as "could prove useful"?

While similar, "could be useful" is a more general statement of potential utility. "Could prove useful" implies that the usefulness will become evident or be demonstrated over time.