that can win

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that can win" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has the potential or ability to achieve victory or success in a competition or challenge. Example: "This strategy is designed to identify the best candidates that can win the upcoming tournament."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A team that can win.

The New York Times - Sports

He's somebody that can win.

The Washington Post

We certainly have a team that can win it".

Independent

"Then we have to make the arguments that can win".

The New York Times

Take less money but go to team that can win?

The New York Times

I want to be a guy that can win.

The New York Times - Sports

"You've got five starters that can win 15, or should.

The New York Times

I want to be with a team that can win.

The Guardian - Sport

That support normally melts away in elections, because people vote for parties that can win.

The Economist

Mr. Steinhauser said he would support "the most conservative candidate that can win".

The New York Times

"We saw one team that can win the World Cup," concluded France's fading captain, Henry.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a team or strategy, use "that can win" to express the potential for success and ability to compete effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "that can win" when the outcome is highly uncertain; instead, use phrases like "that has a chance to win" or "that might win" to reflect a possibility rather than a guarantee.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that can win" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun or noun phrase by providing additional information about its potential for success or victory. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that can win" is a common and grammatically sound relative clause used to express the potential for success or victory, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is frequently found in news and media contexts, functioning to highlight an entity's capabilities or advantages. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives may be preferable in academic settings. Remember to consider the level of certainty you want to convey, and choose alternatives accordingly to avoid overstating a guaranteed outcome. When writing, using the phrase "that can win" will come natural in most situations but use a synonym when wanting to formalize the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can achieve victory

Focuses on the ability to achieve victory

capable of succeeding

Focuses on the ability to achieve a positive outcome.

with the potential to prevail

Highlights the inherent possibility of winning.

has what it takes to win

Highlights the necessary qualities for achieving a win

able to triumph

Emphasizes a stronger sense of victory.

likely to emerge victorious

Implies a high probability of winning.

in a position to conquer

Suggests being favorably situated for victory.

liable to be victorious

Implies a high probability of winning.

has the winning formula

Focuses on the strategy that can achieve victory

has a chance of winning

Focuses on the possibility of winning but does not guarantee.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "that can win" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "capable of succeeding" or "with the potential to prevail" depending on the context.

What are some synonyms for "that can win"?

Alternatives include "able to triumph", "likely to emerge victorious", and "has what it takes to win".

Is it appropriate to use "that can win" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "that can win" might be too informal for academic writing. Consider more formal alternatives like "capable of succeeding" or "with the potential to prevail".

What's the difference between "that can win" and "that will win"?

"That can win" implies a possibility or capability, while "that will win" suggests a higher degree of certainty or prediction. Use "that can win" when indicating potential, and "that will win" when expressing a strong belief in a future outcome.