that which could be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that which could be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to convey the potential for something to happen or exist. For example, "We can only imagine that which could be if we choose the correct path."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

These results suggest that an expert panel may provide input comparable to that which could be obtained from engaging in a more extensive stakeholder process.

Ocean & Coastal Management

He could throw around 80 after that, which could be during the Yankees' series at Tampa Bay that begins Sept. 13.

The New York Times - Sports

The simulation results show that the performance of the proposed stabilizer is comparable to that which could be obtained by the conventional design, but without the need for the estimation and computation of the external system parameters.

International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems

The latter school taught that, through contemplation of that which could be seen (i.e., the image of Christ), the mind might rise to contemplation of that which could not be seen (i.e., the essence of Christ).

Encyclopedia Britannica

But until they do that (which could be years), startups like Introspectr and Greplin are paving the way.

TechCrunch

In our study, the initial concentration of atrazine was 60 mg kg−1 similar to that which could be expected from an important on-farm spillage.

AMB Express

Bulk chemical analyses, however, demonstrated that the sediment was vastly depleted in Cr beyond that, which could be explained by carbonate dilution.

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

From properties of the internal coupling matrix given in Lemma 3.1, we know that, which could be added to the first equation in (3.5).

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

I was aware a lot of people in the civil service or political arena had an interest in obtaining information like that which could be used as a sort of blackmail".

BBC

Testifying before Congress in 1937, Isador Lubin, the Commissioner of Labor Statistics, stressed that the minimum wage "...aims to establish by law a plane of competition far above that which could be maintained in the absence of government edict.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

There are, however, all manner of intermediate expenditures - you can ask Sarah Palin about that - which could be interpreted as either official or personal.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that which could be" to introduce a possibility or potential outcome, especially in formal writing where a more descriptive phrase is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "that which could be" in casual conversation or informal writing; simpler alternatives are usually more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that which could be" functions as a relative clause, introducing a noun phrase that describes a potential state or outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable in diverse contexts. Examples show it modifying concepts ranging from possibilities to resources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

31%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that which could be" serves as a formal relative clause, effectively introducing potential outcomes, possibilities, or hypothetical scenarios. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and finds frequent application across a range of scholarly and journalistic domains. While its register skews towards formality, it can be readily adapted in neutral contexts too. As Ludwig's examples show, it's especially prevalent in Science and News & Media, emphasizing its role in analytical and prospective discussions. Remember to consider simpler alternatives for informal scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that which is possible

Highlights the possibility of something existing or happening.

what might be

A more concise and informal way to express possibility.

the potential for something

More succinct and emphasizes 'potential' directly.

that that is potentially

Emphasizes the potential nature of something, replacing the relative clause with a simpler adjective.

that with the potential to exist

Highlights the potential for existence.

that which is conceivable

Focuses on the conceivability or imaginability of something.

that that has the possibility of

Stresses the inherent possibility within something.

that that may come to pass

A more formal and literary way to express something that might happen.

that capable of being

Emphasizes the capability or ability to be something.

what is attainable

Focuses on the attainability of a goal or outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "that which could be" in a sentence?

Use "that which could be" to refer to something with the potential to exist or happen, as in, "We must consider "that which could be" if we invest in renewable energy".

What are some alternatives to "that which could be"?

Alternatives include "what might be", "that which is possible", or "the potential for something", depending on the specific context.

Is "that which could be" formal or informal?

"That which could be" tends to be more formal and is often found in academic, scientific, or news contexts. For informal situations, simpler alternatives are generally preferred.

What is the difference between "that which could be" and "what is possible"?

While both phrases denote potential, "that which could be" carries a more descriptive and sometimes philosophical tone, whereas "what is possible" is more direct and practical.