could that start

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could that start" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when inquiring about the possibility of initiating something or when suggesting a beginning point for an action or event. Example: "Could that start the conversation we need to have about our project?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

What could that start?

The New York Times

33 A modified Controlled Oral Word Association Test COWAA) 35 in which participants were asked to call out as many words as they could that start with the letter "f " in 60 seconds was administered to assess executive function.

Clinical Epidemiology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I could give you a quote that could start a war, but that wouldn't be effective".

The New York Times - Magazine

"In 2008 I introduced a bill that looked at mechanisms that could start to address the emissions issues.

The Guardian

In its own interest, Iran should consider steps that could start to remedy that situation.

The New York Times

In theory, the changes would set into motion a reorganization of power that could start to alter that situation.

The New York Times

So I wanted to create a series that could start to help define that," he says.

Vice

This includes looking for sources of ignition that could start a fire, flammable materials or chemicals that can cause fires.

WikiHow

That's the kind of jackpot that could start getting investors interested in gambling on tiny biotechs again.

Forbes

But he expressed confidence that he could overcome that, starting this week.

The New York Times

Who decides what is a "manifest" violation of the charter that could start ICC action?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could that start" to introduce a question or suggestion about the potential beginning of an event, process, or discussion. It is particularly useful when exploring possibilities or brainstorming ideas.

Common error

Avoid using "could that start" in declarative statements. It is best suited for questions or hypothetical scenarios where the outcome is uncertain.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could that start" functions primarily as an interrogative phrase. It introduces a question exploring the potential for a specific action or event to initiate something. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it seeks to understand if a certain condition could lead to the beginning of something else.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could that start" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that functions as an interrogative, used to explore potential beginnings or initiations. According to Ludwig AI, it is used in a neutral register and is more common in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts. The phrase conveys a sense of possibility and inquiry. While grammatically correct, it should be used carefully in formal writing, where more sophisticated alternatives may be more appropriate. It is best used in asking questions or exploring hypothetical scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might that begin

Emphasizes a slightly weaker possibility of initiation.

could that initiate

Highlights the act of setting something in motion.

could that commence

More formal synonym for 'start', suggesting a structured beginning.

might that trigger

Suggests a cause-and-effect relationship, where something is set off.

could that spark

Implies a sudden and energetic beginning.

could that lead to

Focuses on the potential consequences or direction of the beginning.

is that a possible beginning

A more explicit and less concise way of asking the same question.

can that give rise to

Focuses on the creation or emergence of something new.

could that pave the way for

Suggests creating an opportunity or foundation for something else.

could that be the genesis of

A more dramatic and formal way to suggest the beginning of something significant.

FAQs

How can I use "could that start" in a sentence?

Use "could that start" to inquire about the possibility of initiating something. For instance, "Could that start the discussion we need to have?"

What's a more formal alternative to "could that start"?

A more formal alternative to "could that start" is something like "might that commence" or "could that initiate".

Is "could that start" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "could that start" is generally more appropriate for neutral or informal contexts. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "might that begin".

How does "could that start" differ from "will that start"?

"Could that start" suggests a possibility or uncertainty, while "will that start" implies a higher degree of certainty or expectation. "Could" explores a potential beginning, whereas "will" anticipates a more definite start.