he could become

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he could become" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing potential future states or roles that someone might attain. Example: "With hard work and dedication, he could become a successful entrepreneur."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He could become a fixture there.

The New York Times

Indeed, he could become any animal.

The New Yorker

He could become part of one soon.

The New York Times - Sports

He could become a natural playmaker, though.

The New York Times

Eventually, he could become an underwriter.

The Guardian - Money

Perhaps he could become president.

The Guardian

Or he could become Manning's heir apparent.

The New York Times - Sports

He could become the stop Boris candidate.

The Guardian

Then he could become a household name?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

One therapist feared he could become suicidal.

The Guardian

"He could become Manchester United's all-time record scorer.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he could become" to express potential future outcomes based on present conditions or actions. It implies a possibility that is contingent on certain factors. For example, "With dedication, he could become a leader in his field."

Common error

Avoid using "he could become" when you want to express a high degree of certainty. Phrases like "he will become" or "he is certain to become" are more appropriate when the outcome is virtually guaranteed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he could become" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating possibility or potential. As Ludwig AI shows, it suggests a future state that is contingent upon certain conditions or actions. The modal verb "could" expresses a lower degree of certainty than "will" or "shall".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he could become" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate a potential future state. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and versatility. Its primary function is to express possibility, prediction, or aspiration, often contingent on specific conditions. It is most commonly found in news and media, but also appears in science and business contexts. While the phrase is generally versatile, avoid using it to express certainty; instead, opt for stronger alternatives like "he will become". Overall, "he could become" is a valuable tool for expressing nuanced possibilities in various writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he might become

Slightly less assertive than "he could become", suggesting a possibility rather than a potential.

he may become

Similar to "he might become", indicating a possibility or chance of becoming something.

he has the potential to be

Emphasizes the inherent ability or capacity to develop into something.

he is capable of becoming

Highlights the capability and potential for transformation.

he is likely to become

Suggests a high probability based on current circumstances or trends.

he is poised to become

Indicates readiness and anticipation for a future state.

he stands to become

Similar to "he is poised to become", suggesting a favorable position.

he is on track to become

Implies progress and momentum toward a specific goal or state.

he is destined to be

Suggests a predetermined or inevitable future.

he will eventually become

Focuses on the eventual outcome or result of a process.

FAQs

How can I use "he could become" in a sentence?

Use "he could become" to express a possibility or potential. For example, "If he continues to work hard, he could become the CEO of the company".

What can I say instead of "he could become"?

You can use alternatives like "he might become", "he may become", or "he has the potential to be" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "he could become" or "he could became"?

"He could become" is correct. "Become" is the base form of the verb and should be used after the modal verb "could". "Became" is the past tense and is not appropriate in this construction.

What's the difference between "he could become" and "he will become"?

"He could become" expresses a possibility that depends on certain conditions. "He will become" expresses a higher degree of certainty about a future outcome.