could works

USAGE SUMMARY

'could works' is not correct and usable in written English.
The correct form is 'could work'. For example: "We have a limited budget, but this project could work if we all work together."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This anger could works to Mr Morsi's advantage.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Could work.

The New Yorker

It could work".

The New York Times

That could work, absolutely".

The New York Times - Arts

So what could work?

The New York Times

But it could work.

Independent

But I could work.

The New Yorker

They all could work".

The New Yorker

That could work.

The New York Times - Magazine

This plan could work.

The New Yorker

I think it could work.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the base form of the verb after modal verbs like "could", "should", "would", "may", and "might". For example, "It could work", not "It could works".

Common error

Avoid adding an "-s" to the verb after "could". The correct form is the base verb. Saying something like, "This could solves the problem" is incorrect. Instead, say, "This could solve the problem".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could works" is intended to express possibility or potential, but it fails to do so due to grammatical incorrectness. The modal verb "could" is correctly used to indicate possibility, but it is incorrectly followed by the third-person singular form of the verb "work". The correct form, as highlighted by Ludwig, is "could work".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could works" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""could work"". While the phrase appears in high-quality sources like The Economist and The New York Times, it is misused, as noted by Ludwig. When writing, remember that modal verbs like "could" should always be followed by the base form of the verb. Alternatives like "might work" or "may work" can also be used. Always prioritize grammatical accuracy to maintain clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could work

Corrects the grammatical error by using the base form of the verb "work" after the modal verb "could".

might work

Replaces "could" with "might", another modal verb expressing possibility, while maintaining grammatical correctness.

may work

Substitutes "could" with "may", offering a similar level of probability while adhering to grammatical rules.

is able to work

Replaces the modal verb with a phrase using "able to", providing a more explicit expression of ability while maintaining the core meaning.

has the potential to work

Emphasizes the potential for success or effectiveness, shifting the focus slightly from simple possibility to inherent capability.

is capable of working

Uses "capable of" to highlight the ability to perform the work, offering a more formal tone than "could work".

can function

Replaces "work" with "function", suggesting the ability to operate or perform as intended.

can operate

Similar to "can function", this suggests the ability to perform a specific task or process.

is feasible

Shifts the focus to the practicality or viability of something, rather than its simple possibility.

is viable

Similar to "is feasible", this emphasizes the capability of something to succeed or be sustained.

FAQs

How to use "could work" in a sentence?

"Could work" expresses a possibility. For example, "This plan "could work" if we get enough funding".

What can I say instead of "could works"?

Since "could works" is grammatically incorrect, use ""could work"", which is the correct form. Other alternatives include "might work" or "may work".

Which is correct, "could works" or "could work"?

"Could work" is the correct form. Modal verbs like "could" are always followed by the base form of the verb.

What's the difference between "could work" and "can work"?

"Could work" implies a possibility, while "can work" suggests a capability or ability. "This solution "could work"" means it's possible, whereas "I can work overtime" means I am able to work overtime.