could use their

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could use their" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting that someone might benefit from something or needs assistance. Example: "The team could use their expertise to improve the project outcomes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We could use their skills," one of the security guards on Manus told us.

BBC

(They both said, though, that I could use their names).

The New Yorker

Governments could use their spending power more cleverly, too.

The Economist

They could use their obvious humor to get both "sides" talking.

University of California, Berkeley

And yes, frequent shoppers could use their discount cards for further savings.

The New York Times - Tech

Several students said they could use their new skills in business or government work.

The New York Times

I phoned Ronnie and Reggie up and asked if we could use their place.

The Guardian - Film

The Jets then could use their first-round draft pick to select a linebacker.

The New York Times - Sports

I do agree, though, that politicians could use their holidays to improve themselves.

The Guardian - Opinion

Houston said he hoped the Knicks could use their pick to add size up front.

The New York Times - Sports

They could use their own money to buy "separate supplemental coverage for abortions".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When suggesting a potential action, ensure the context clearly indicates who "they" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. For example, "Engineers could use their expertise to improve the design."

Common error

Avoid using "could use their" when the antecedent is singular. Instead of "Each student could use their calculator", use "Each student could use his or her calculator" or, better yet, revise to the plural: "Students could use their calculators."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could use their" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing a suggestion, possibility, or conditional ability to utilize something. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, indicating potential actions or opportunities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could use their" is a versatile modal verb phrase widely used to express a suggestion, possibility, or conditional ability to utilize something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across various contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Science. While generally neutral in register, attention should be paid to ensure the antecedent of "their" is clear and plural to avoid grammatical errors. Alternatives such as "might employ their" or "can leverage their" can add nuance or formality depending on the desired tone. As illustrated by Ludwig's examples, understanding the appropriate context enhances effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might employ their

Suggests a possibility of using something, similar to "could use", but with a slightly more formal tone.

may utilize their

Indicates a permission or potential use, close in meaning to "could use", but emphasizes formal usage.

can leverage their

Emphasizes the advantage gained from using something, adding a layer of strategic benefit.

are able to exploit their

Highlights the ability to benefit greatly from something, but can sometimes imply a slightly opportunistic approach.

have the option to use their

Focuses on the availability of a choice to use something, rather than a direct suggestion.

are permitted to use their

Emphasizes permission or authorization to use something, adding a formal or legal aspect.

are authorized to employ their

Implies a formal authorization and right to make use of something, more official than "could use".

would be allowed to use their

Expresses a conditional permission, suggesting a scenario where usage is permitted, but not necessarily happening.

are in a position to utilize their

Highlights the favorable circumstances that enable them to use something, focusing on the situational advantage.

are capable of using their

Stresses the inherent ability or capacity to use something, rather than just a suggestion or possibility.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "could use their" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you might consider phrases like "may utilize their", "might employ their", or "are authorized to employ their", depending on the specific context.

What's a more emphatic way to say "could use their"?

To emphasize the benefit or strategic advantage of using something, consider "can leverage their" or "are able to exploit their" (though be mindful of the potential negative connotation of "exploit").

Is "could use their" always interchangeable with "can use their"?

Not always. "Could use their" implies a possibility or suggestion, while "can use their" suggests an existing ability or permission. For instance, "They could use their influence" suggests a potential action, whereas "They can use their influence" indicates they already have the power to do so.

What are some situations where "could use their" is most appropriate?

"Could use their" is suitable when proposing a course of action, suggesting a potential benefit, or indicating a hypothetical scenario where someone utilizes something at their disposal. For example, "The company could use their marketing budget to target a new demographic."