could very well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could very well" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it to express the possibility or likelihood of something happening. Example: "She could very well win the competition with her amazing singing voice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I could very well be.

The New York Times

"Could very well be.

The New York Times - Sports

That approach could very well work.

The Economist

And it could very well be salacious.

The New York Times

He could very well be right.

The New York Times

"Skateboarding could very well be the epicenter.

The New York Times

"This could very well spread into Spain and Italy".

The New York Times

She could very well face criminal penalties.

The Washington Post

"That could very well happen," Shanahan said.

The Washington Post

"It could very well happen, no doubt.

The New York Times

Actually, you could very well be wrong.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could very well" to express a strong possibility, but avoid overusing it in close proximity to other modal verbs to maintain clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "could very well" when you want to express near certainty. Opt for phrases like "will definitely" or "is certain to" for stronger assertions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could very well" functions as a modal phrase, expressing a strong degree of possibility or likelihood. It's used to suggest that something is quite likely to happen, but without absolute certainty, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could very well" is a versatile and commonly used modal phrase to express a strong possibility or likelihood. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts such as news, business, and science. While alternatives like "might very well" or "is likely to" exist, "could very well" maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the intended degree of certainty and avoid overuse to maintain impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might very well

Replaces "could" with "might", indicating a similar degree of possibility but potentially slightly less certainty.

may very well

Substitutes "could" with "may", offering another interchangeable expression of possibility with minimal difference in meaning.

is quite possible

Highlights the possibility of an event, offering a more emphatic assertion of potential occurrence.

is likely to

Changes the structure to focus on likelihood, providing a slightly more direct assertion of probability.

has a good chance of

Directly expresses the likelihood of a positive outcome, focusing on the favorable prospects of an event.

is probable that

Transforms the phrase into a more formal expression of probability, suitable for academic or professional contexts.

is not unlikely

Uses a double negative to imply a reasonable chance of happening, conveying a subtle nuance of expectation.

can easily

Emphasizes the ease with which something could happen, shifting the focus from mere possibility to potential facility.

is apt to

Suggests a natural tendency or inclination toward a particular outcome, implying a predisposition.

wouldn't be surprising if

Introduces a sense of anticipation, suggesting that an event's occurrence would be expected or logical.

FAQs

How can I use "could very well" in a sentence?

"Could very well" is used to indicate a strong possibility. For example, "The project "could very well succeed" if we secure additional funding."

What are some alternatives to "could very well"?

Alternatives include "might very well", "is likely to", or "is quite possible", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "could very well" formal or informal?

"Could very well" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "it is probable that" may be preferred in academic writing.

What's the difference between "could very well" and "could"?

"Could very well" emphasizes a stronger possibility than simply "could". The addition of "very well" amplifies the likelihood of the event occurring.