it could be useful to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it could be useful to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the idea that an action or idea might end up producing a benefit. For example, "It could be useful to take a break from studying in order to refocus and get back on track."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I thought it could be useful to use SXSW to check the status of the "folk thing".

The Guardian - Music

However, because a critical illness payout has no restrictions on how you can use it, it could be useful to help pay your mortgage, or allow you to go part-time, and generally ease your household finances.

The Guardian - Money

In some cases, it could be useful to modify the cylindrical projection to use a triangle shape, so that ±ISO is projected onto points, rather than lines.

Earth, Planets and Space

Even if we do not concur with the messages that religions schedule for us, we can still concede that it could be useful to structure not only our working lives, but also our emotional and psychological ones.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As the British government grapples with its current round of reforms to the NHS, it could be useful to consider examples from elsewhere to help inform the change process and its underlying goals.

The Guardian

It could be useful to openly discuss the historical relationship and its influences on the interaction within, and even between, organizations.

Health Research Policy and Systems

It could be useful to connect some dots.

The Guardian - Opinion

Additionally, it could be useful to try to explore the ability to localize this algorithm.

Princeton University

In addition to this, it could be useful to get further advice.

The Guardian

Sometimes, it could be useful to find a way to join these autonomous logical networks.

Future Generation Computer Systems

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

In the same subjects, we also investigated whether the response to QFT-IT could be useful to discriminate the different stages of TB.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “it could be useful to” when suggesting a course of action that might provide a benefit or solve a problem, but without asserting it as a certainty. This phrasing indicates a possibility rather than a definite outcome.

Common error

Avoid using “it could be useful to” when you have concrete evidence of a guaranteed positive outcome. In such cases, a stronger, more assertive phrase would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it could be useful to" functions as a modal expression of suggestion or recommendation. It introduces a course of action or idea that is presented as potentially beneficial or advantageous, but without stating it as a certainty. The phrase softens the directive, acknowledging that the usefulness is conditional or prospective. As Ludwig AI confirms, it express the idea that an action or idea might end up producing a benefit.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it could be useful to" is a versatile and frequently used expression for suggesting potential benefits or courses of action. Ludwig AI underlines that it is a grammatically sound way to propose ideas in various contexts. Given its neutral tone, this phrase fits well in both professional and informal communication, spanning across diverse fields like science, news, and academia. When using the phrase, it's crucial to avoid overstating certainty and focus on presenting it as a suggestion, not a guaranteed outcome. Remember to use strong verbs like "consider", "explore", and "examine" to enhance the impact of your suggestion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it could be desirable to

Replaces "useful" with "desirable", suggesting something is worth having or doing, rather than just helpful.

it could be valuable to

Substitutes "useful" with "valuable", highlighting the potential for the action to provide significant worth or benefit.

it could be advantageous to

Substitutes "useful" with "advantageous", highlighting the potential for gaining a competitive edge or benefit.

it could be fruitful to

Replaces "useful" with "fruitful", implying that the action could lead to positive results or outcomes.

it could be instrumental to

Replaces "useful" with "instrumental", implying that the action is crucial or essential for achieving a specific goal.

it could be informative to

Substitutes "useful" with "informative", shifting the focus to gaining knowledge or understanding.

it could be suitable to

Substitutes "useful" with "suitable", suggesting something is appropriate or fitting for a particular purpose or situation.

it could be feasible to

Replaces "useful" with "feasible", indicating that something is possible or practical to achieve.

it could be profitable to

Replaces "useful" with "profitable", implying that the action could lead to financial gain or other forms of profit.

it could be necessary to

Replaces "useful" with "necessary", emphasizing that the action is essential or required.

FAQs

How can I use "it could be useful to" in a sentence?

Use "it could be useful to" to suggest a potential benefit or advantage, like: "It could be useful to review the data before making a decision."

What are some alternatives to saying "it could be useful to"?

You can use phrases such as "it could be valuable to", "it might be helpful to", or "it may be beneficial to" as alternatives.

When is it appropriate to use "it could be useful to"?

Use "it could be useful to" when you want to propose an action or idea that has the potential to provide a positive outcome, without guaranteeing it. It implies a suggestion or recommendation.

Is "it could be useful to" a formal or informal expression?

"It could be useful to" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The formality depends more on the surrounding language and the specific situation.