that they could

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that they could" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a possibility or capability in a past context, often in conditional or hypothetical statements. Example: "She believed in their potential, hoping that they could achieve great things together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

More than that, they could be working together before long.

The New York Times

And then after that, they could --.

Huffington Post

Polls are just that; they could change.

Huffington Post

Would that they could.

The New York Times

Turns out that they could.

The New York Times - Sports

Not that they could have stopped him.

The New York Times - Sports

It was known that they could count.

The New York Times - Science

Previous observations provided hints that they could.

Harvard University

Not that they could have.

The New York Times - Science

That they could deal with.

The New York Times

(All thought that they could).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that they could" to express a past possibility or a hypothetical situation. For instance: "She hoped that they could finish the project on time."

Common error

Avoid using "that they can" when referring to a past or hypothetical situation. "Could" indicates a past ability or possibility, whereas "can" refers to the present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that they could" functions as a subordinate conjunction, introducing a clause that expresses a possibility, capability, or a hypothetical situation. It typically follows a main clause and provides additional information about what someone believed, hoped, or thought was possible. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

23%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that they could" is a versatile conjunction used to express possibility, capability, or hypothetical scenarios. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended tense and meaning, differentiating it from similar phrases like "that they can" or "that they would". The frequent appearance of this phrase in News & Media, Science, and Academia highlights its broad applicability and relevance in conveying potential and past abilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that they might

Replaces "could" with "might", suggesting a slightly lower degree of certainty or possibility.

that they were able to

Substitutes "could" with "were able to", focusing on demonstrated ability in the past.

that they would be able to

Emphasizes future ability contingent on certain conditions.

that they had the capacity to

Highlights inherent capability or potential, often implying untapped resources.

that they were in a position to

Focuses on the circumstances allowing them to do something.

that they had the option to

Indicates the availability of a choice or opportunity.

that they were permitted to

Suggests authorization or allowance by an external entity.

that it was possible for them to

Adds emphasis on the feasibility or likelihood of an action.

that they were empowered to

Highlights the delegation of authority or ability.

that they were capable of

Highlights inherent ability or skill to perform an action.

FAQs

How do I use "that they could" in a sentence?

Use "that they could" to express a past possibility, ability, or a hypothetical situation. For example, "The team believed "that they could" win the championship."

What's the difference between "that they could" and "that they can"?

"That they could" refers to a past ability or possibility, while "that they can" refers to a present ability or possibility. For instance, "She knew "that they could" have won if they had tried harder" (past) versus "She believes "that they can" still win" (present).

Which is correct: "that they could" or "that they would"?

Both "that they could" and "that they would" are correct, but they have different meanings. "That they could" implies ability or possibility, while "that they would" implies intention or willingness. The choice depends on the specific context.

What can I say instead of "that they could"?

You can use alternatives like "that they might", "that they were able to", or "that it was possible for them to" depending on the context.