could ultimately be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could ultimately be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a possibility or potential outcome that may occur in the future. Example: "If we continue to invest in renewable energy, it could ultimately be the solution to our climate crisis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Could ultimately be the deciding play of this game.

The New York Times

Schools that fail consistently could ultimately be shut down.

The New York Times

This could ultimately be bad news for the authorities.

The Economist

The case involving Proposition 8 could ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court.

The New York Times

(The enriched uranium could ultimately be used to make nuclear bombs).

The New Yorker

These innovations could ultimately be defining features of a great 21st-century city.

The New York Times

But that could ultimately be an issue with the moviegoing public.

The New York Times

The winner of this bidding war could ultimately be crippled by the deal.

The New York Times - Sports

But Scottish fishermen say the downgrading is premature and could ultimately be counterproductive.

The Guardian

What's more, the airlines' prohibition on hidden-city ticketing could ultimately be better for consumers.

The New Yorker

Advocates of resettlement contend that Syria's loss could ultimately be Armenia's gain.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could ultimately be" when discussing potential long-term outcomes that are not certain but reasonably possible. For instance, "Investing in education could ultimately be the key to economic growth."

Common error

Avoid using "could ultimately be" when the outcome is already highly probable or certain. Using it in such cases weakens the impact of the statement. Instead, opt for stronger phrases like "will certainly be" or "is guaranteed to be".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could ultimately be" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing possibility or potential. It suggests a future outcome that is not certain but is within the realm of possibility. Ludwig AI shows many examples in news and academic contexts, further illustrating its use in expressing prospective results.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could ultimately be" is a versatile expression used to indicate a potential future outcome, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse sources, including News & Media and Science, highlight its reliability. When writing, remember that "could ultimately be" suggests a possibility rather than a certainty. For scenarios requiring stronger assertions, consider using alternative phrases that convey more confidence. Using this expression correctly can enhance the clarity and accuracy of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might eventually become

Emphasizes gradual change and eventual transformation.

may potentially result in

Highlights the possibility of a specific outcome.

could conceivably turn into

Suggests a possibility that is within the realm of imagination or speculation.

might in the end prove to be

Focuses on the final outcome after a period of time.

may in the long run develop into

Highlights a longer-term process of development.

could prospectively evolve into

Indicates a future evolution with some degree of expectation.

may finally materialize as

Emphasizes the eventual realization of something after a period of anticipation.

might at some point transform into

Suggests a future change without specifying when.

could potentially lead to

Highlights the ability to cause future outcome, indicating a causal effect.

may perhaps come to be

Emphasizes the uncertainty and possibility.

FAQs

How can I use "could ultimately be" in a sentence?

The phrase "could ultimately be" is used to express a possibility or potential outcome in the future. For example, "This decision "could ultimately be" a turning point for the company".

What are some alternatives to "could ultimately be"?

Alternatives include phrases like "might eventually become", "may potentially result in", or "could conceivably turn into", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "could ultimately be" formal or informal?

"Could ultimately be" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it's more commonly found in neutral to formal writing, such as news articles and academic papers.

What's the difference between "could ultimately be" and "will definitely be"?

"Could ultimately be" suggests a possibility, while "will definitely be" expresses certainty. The former is used when the outcome is not guaranteed, while the latter is used when the outcome is assured.