it could buy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it could buy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the potential purchasing power or capability of something, often in hypothetical or conditional contexts. Example: "With the budget we have, it could buy several new computers for the office."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Elsewhere in Dabiq, an article attributed to British hostage John Cantlie claimed that Isis is expanding so rapidly it could buy its first nuclear weapon within a year.

Independent

If Facebook fails with its own team of engineers, it could buy a smartphone maker.

The New York Times

If it could buy foreign fuel for its civilian reactors, it could devote more of the stuff it makes at home to bomb-building.

The Economist

While Intel can't use private information to trade its own stock (that's illegal), it could buy a basket of other stocks in the industry.

Forbes

It could buy a company to acquire its technology.

The New Yorker

It may seize the chance to add to its holdings of vines if growers go bankrupt, or it could buy up struggling small champagne houses.

The Economist

Intermountain has been building its systems internally since the 1960's, long before it could buy the technology in the marketplace.

The New York Times

Tesco, which says its offer would include both cash and stock, believes it could buy 75% of Safeway without facing competition problems.

Forbes

If these efforts were successful, Blue Wolf proposed, it could buy the chain for an amount equal to its liabilities.

Los Angeles Times

While it could buy enough of the proposed new shares to keep its current stake in the company undiluted, the move would cost as much as $8 billion.

The New York Times

It could buy content.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it could buy", ensure the context clearly establishes what "it" refers to. Avoid ambiguity by providing a specific subject in the preceding sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "it could buy" when the subject performing the action is unclear. For instance, without proper context, readers might misunderstand what the pronoun "it" refers to, leading to confusion about who is potentially making the purchase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it could buy" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing potential or possibility. It indicates that a subject ("it") has the capacity or opportunity to make a purchase, as seen in examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it could buy" is a grammatically sound and common expression used to indicate the potential for a subject to make a purchase. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for a range of contexts, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. When using the phrase, clarity is essential to ensure the subject "it" is well-defined. Alternative phrases like "it might purchase" offer subtle variations in meaning. Understanding these nuances can enhance the precision and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it might purchase

Replaces the modal verb "could" with "might", suggesting a slightly lower probability.

it may acquire

Substitutes "buy" with "acquire", indicating a more formal tone and potentially a larger scale acquisition.

it is able to purchase

Rephrases using "is able to" to emphasize capability or capacity to buy.

it has the capacity to buy

Focuses on the inherent ability or resources available for buying.

it is in a position to buy

Highlights the favorable circumstances that allow for a purchase.

it is eligible to buy

Suggests that specific criteria or requirements have been met, making it permissible to buy.

it is authorized to buy

Indicates that official approval or permission has been granted to make a purchase.

it is entitled to buy

Conveys a right or privilege to make a purchase, often due to a specific agreement or condition.

it is permitted to buy

Emphasizes that buying is allowed and not prohibited by any rules or regulations.

it is empowered to buy

Highlights that the entity has been given the power, authority, or resources necessary to make a purchase.

FAQs

How to use "it could buy" in a sentence?

Use "it could buy" to express the possibility or potential of an entity to purchase something, as in, "Given its financial resources, it could buy the neighboring company".

What can I say instead of "it could buy"?

You can use alternatives like "it might purchase", "it may acquire", or "it is able to purchase" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it could buy" or "it can buy"?

"It could buy" suggests a possibility or hypothetical situation, while "it can buy" indicates a present ability. The choice depends on whether you're discussing a potential action or a current capability.

What's the difference between "it could buy" and "it would buy"?

"It could buy" implies that something has the potential or capacity to make a purchase. "It would buy" suggests what someone is inclined to do under certain circumstances. The modal verb changes the meaning of the statement.