so could be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "so could be" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in informal contexts to suggest a possibility or potential outcome, but it is better to use a more complete phrase. Example: "This plan is risky, but it so could be the solution we need."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The consequences of failing to do so could be catastrophic.

The New York Times

Doing so could be tough, particularly for the coaching staff.

The New York Times

Workers who did so could be fired, he said.

The New York Times

He said that not doing so could be viewed as a breach of a player's contract.

The New York Times - Sports

Anyone caught doing so could be fined up to £5,000.

The Guardian - Money

Big opportunities for intellectual work in the professions actually existed, so could be fought for.

The Guardian - Opinion

Anyone failing to do so could be fined up to $11,000 £6,8955) per violation.

The Guardian - Business

Anyone helping them to do so could be regarded as facilitating illegal immigration.

The Guardian

The consequences of not doing so could be detrimental to all our futures.

The Guardian

By contrast 2009 does not have big "quadrennial" political or sporting events, and so could be painful.

The Economist

It was possible for any young woman to redefine herself here, but doing so could be risky.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "so could be", ensure the context clearly establishes the reason or condition leading to the possibility. This phrase is most effective when directly following a statement that implies a potential consequence.

Common error

Avoid using "so could be" as a generic connector without a clear logical link to the preceding statement. Ensure that the "so" genuinely indicates a consequence or result, rather than just a continuation of thought.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so could be" functions as a modal phrase, indicating possibility or potential. The word "so" connects a preceding statement with a subsequent possibility or consequence. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in diverse contexts, from potential risks to possible benefits.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "so could be" expresses a possibility or potential consequence stemming from a preceding statement. While grammatically acceptable, it is not the most standard English construction. Ludwig examples show its presence across various domains, predominantly in science and news media. Despite its versatility, writers should ensure a clear logical connection between the 'so' and the potential outcome. Considering more common alternatives like "therefore might be" or "thus may be" may enhance clarity and formality in certain contexts. According to Ludwig AI, while generally acceptable, more explicit phrasing might be better.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

therefore might be

Replaces "could" with "might", implying a slightly weaker possibility while retaining the inferential aspect.

thus may be

Substitutes "could" with "may", suggesting a potential outcome based on preceding conditions.

consequently could exist

Replaces "be" with "exist", emphasizing the possibility of something's existence as a result.

as a result, might happen

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the cause-and-effect relationship and potential outcome.

it follows that it could happen

Emphasizes the logical deduction leading to a potential occurrence.

it is plausible that it is

Replaces "so" and the modal verb with a more formal expression of plausibility.

in that case it is possible that it is

Introduces a conditional scenario before expressing the possibility.

that suggests it might be

Highlights the suggestive nature of the preceding information and its implications.

consequently that would be

Implies the likelihood of something to be caused by something else

correspondingly that may occur

Highlights the correlation between two facts or events where QUERY may be used instead

FAQs

How can I use "so could be" in a sentence?

Use "so could be" to indicate a potential outcome or consequence that logically follows from a previous statement. For example, "The weather is getting colder, "so it could snow"."

What are some alternatives to "so could be"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "therefore might be", "thus may be", or "consequently could exist". These alternatives may offer a more formal or precise way to express the same idea.

Is it better to use "so could be" or "therefore it could be"?

"Therefore it could be" is generally more formal and explicit in indicating a causal relationship. "So could be" is more concise but requires a clear logical connection already established in the context. Choose the option that best suits the tone and clarity of your writing.

What's the difference between "so could be" and "so might be"?

The difference is subtle. "Could" suggests a possibility based on conditions, while "might" implies a slightly lower probability or a more tentative suggestion. "So might be" often indicates a possibility that is more speculative.