that could support

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that could support" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing potential assistance, backing, or reinforcement for an idea, argument, or project. Example: "We are looking for evidence that could support our hypothesis in the research study."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We read the article, and then discussed economic arguments that could support each viewpoint.

University of California, Berkeley

I would be very interested in any projects that could support these kids.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

As a consequence, we have investigated anatomical aspects that could support this assumption.

Annals of Anatomy - Anatomischer Anzeiger

It's a long way from a business that could support them or anyone else.

The New York Times

Evidence that could support these hypotheses has been building slowly, but it is far from ironclad.

The New York Times

There are also thousands of buildings that could support rooftop farms.

The New York Times

It had lungs and gills, and fins that could support much of its weight.

The Guardian

We wanted funding that could support median and moderate home buyers".

The New York Times

There were still many available good locations that could support vending machines.

The New York Times

Any method that could support so many theories seemed somewhat suspect.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sherman started to visualize the kind of community that could support his still-young business.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs like 'validate', 'corroborate', or 'underpin' if you want to emphasize the strength of the support being provided.

Common error

Avoid using "that could support" without a clear antecedent. Ensure the noun or idea "that" refers to is explicitly stated and not ambiguous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that could support" functions as a relative clause introducing a potential source of assistance, backing, or justification. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts, from scientific research to business planning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

27%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that could support" is a versatile and frequently used expression to indicate a potential source of assistance, backing, or justification. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, including news, academic research, and general communication. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what is being supported. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, consider stronger verbs like "validate" or "corroborate" for emphasis. Remember to avoid vague references and always provide a clear antecedent. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "that could support" to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that might sustain

Replaces "could" with "might" and "support" with "sustain", suggesting a possibility of maintaining something.

that may bolster

Substitutes "could" with "may" and "support" with "bolster", implying potential reinforcement or strengthening.

that would underpin

Replaces "could support" with "would underpin", indicating a foundational or supporting role.

that can validate

Substitutes "could support" with "can validate", focusing on the aspect of confirming or proving something.

that will corroborate

Replaces "could support" with "will corroborate", suggesting a stronger confirmation or validation.

that helps to reinforce

Rephrases "could support" to "helps to reinforce", emphasizing the act of strengthening an existing idea or structure.

that serves to substantiate

Replaces with a more formal "serves to substantiate", focusing on providing evidence to prove the truth of something.

that offers credence to

Replaces "could support" with "offers credence to", suggesting that something provides believability or trustworthiness.

that lends weight to

Replaces "could support" with "lends weight to", highlighting the act of adding importance or significance.

that provides a basis for

Changes the structure to focus on providing a foundation or justification for something.

FAQs

How can I use "that could support" in a sentence?

You can use "that could support" to introduce evidence, arguments, or resources that provide backing or justification for a particular claim or idea. For example, "We are looking for data "that could support" our hypothesis".

What are some alternatives to "that could support"?

Alternatives include "that might sustain", "that may bolster", or "that would underpin", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "that could support" formal or informal?

"That could support" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, making it a versatile phrase for various writing styles. However, in highly formal or scientific writing, consider using more precise alternatives such as "that serves to substantiate".

How does "that could support" differ from "that will support"?

"That could support" implies a possibility or potential, while "that will support" suggests a higher degree of certainty or a future guarantee. The choice depends on the level of confidence you have in the supporting evidence or resource.