it could happen

USAGE SUMMARY

"It could happen" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express something that may happen in the future but is not guaranteed. For example, "Nobody thought that the team could make it to the championship, but everyone agreed that it could happen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And it could happen.

The Economist

But it could happen.

The New York Times

So it could happen.

The New York Times

It could happen again".

The New York Times

"It could happen anywhere".

The New York Times - Sports

Perhaps it could happen again.

The Economist

It could happen to Labour.

The Guardian - Opinion

And it could happen here.

The New York Times

I mean, it could happen.

The New York Times

It could happen to you.

Independent

"It could happen to anyone.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it could happen" to express a degree of uncertainty or possibility, rather than a certainty. It's often effective when discussing potential outcomes or speculating about future events.

Common error

Avoid using "it could happen" when you actually mean "it will happen" or "it is likely to happen." The phrase implies a lower probability, so using it inappropriately can mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it could happen" functions as a modal expression indicating possibility or potential. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, aligning with numerous examples in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it could happen" is a versatile phrase used to express possibility or potential. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in a variety of contexts. Analysis of Ludwig's examples reveals that it's commonly found in news articles and less frequently in formal or academic writing. When employing this phrase, bear in mind that it implies a degree of uncertainty, making it suitable for discussing potential outcomes or speculating about future events. For more formal situations, consider using alternatives such as "it is possible" or "it might occur".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is possible

This alternative is a more direct and general way to express possibility.

it's a possibility

This alternative emphasizes the potential for something to happen, framing it as one of several possibilities.

it is conceivable

This alternative suggests that something is imaginable or believable, though not necessarily likely.

it's not impossible

This alternative focuses on the absence of impossibility, implying that while unlikely, it's still within the realm of possibility.

it might occur

This alternative uses a more formal verb, 'occur', to denote the happening of an event.

the chance exists

This alternative highlights the existence of an opportunity or likelihood for something to happen.

it may come to pass

This alternative is a more literary or old-fashioned way of saying something might happen.

there's a likelihood

This alternative emphasizes the probability of an event taking place.

it's within the realm of possibility

This alternative emphasizes that an event aligns with the circumstances.

the stars might align

This idiomatic alternative indicates that a series of favorable events may occur.

FAQs

How can I use "it could happen" in a sentence?

The phrase "it could happen" is used to express a possibility or potential for an event to occur. For example, "Even though they are underdogs, "it could happen" that they win the championship."

What's a more formal way to say "it could happen"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it is possible", "it is conceivable", or "it might occur".

Which is correct: "it could happen" or "it can happen"?

Both "it could happen" and "it can happen" are grammatically correct, but they express different levels of possibility. "It could happen" suggests a lower probability or a more hypothetical scenario, while "it can happen" indicates a general possibility without implying likelihood.

What does "it could happen" imply about the likelihood of an event?

"It could happen" implies that an event is possible, but not necessarily probable or likely. It suggests that while there's a chance, it's not guaranteed and might even be somewhat unexpected.