this could become

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this could become" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a possibility or potential for change or development in a situation or object. Example: "If we continue to invest in this project, this could become a leading innovation in the industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

In other hands, this could become sentimental.

The Economist

This could become a problem.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"This could become the standard".

The New York Times - Health

This could become prime real estate.

The New York Times - Books

This could become even less palatable as you age.

The New York Times

"He thought that this could become Obama's Vietnam," Marton recalled.

The New York Times

"This could become a world-class destination point".

The New York Times

This could become a running issue at London 2012.

The Guardian - Sport

But this could become 20,000 or 200,000 demonstrators".

The Guardian

"This could become an economic engine," Mr. Robertson said.

The New York Times

Now, this could become grist to their mill.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this could become" to express a realistic possibility or potential based on current circumstances. Avoid using it for highly speculative or improbable scenarios.

Common error

Avoid using "this could become" when the outcome is highly uncertain or lacks supporting evidence. Instead, use phrases that convey more uncertainty, such as "this might become" or "this could potentially become".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this could become" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing a possibility or potential for something to transform or develop into a different state. It suggests a conditional future, contingent on various factors. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage across numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this could become" is a versatile expression used to indicate a potential future development. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news, media, and scientific contexts. While it expresses possibility rather than certainty, it is crucial to avoid overstating the likelihood of the outcome. Related phrases like "this might evolve into" or "this has the potential to be" offer nuanced alternatives. Understanding its function and appropriate usage ensures clear and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this might evolve into

Replaces "could" with "might", suggesting a slightly lower degree of probability and uses "evolve into" to emphasize gradual development.

this may transform into

Substitutes "could" with "may", indicating a possibility, and uses "transform" to imply a more significant change.

this has the potential to be

Expresses potential rather than a direct possibility, focusing on inherent capabilities.

this is liable to turn into

Indicates a tendency or likelihood, often implying a negative outcome.

this is on track to become

Suggests a current trajectory leading towards a specific future state, implying progress and direction.

this is expected to develop into

Expresses an anticipation or prediction of future development, often based on current trends or information.

this promises to grow into

Highlights the positive potential for future growth and development.

this is shaping up to be

Implies that something is gradually forming or developing into a particular state, often with a positive connotation.

this is projected to mature into

Used to express expectation based on current data or expert opinion, often in the context of long-term development.

the outlook for this is to become

Shifts the focus to the future outlook, emphasizing the anticipated state or condition.

FAQs

How can I use "this could become" in a sentence?

The phrase "this could become" is used to express a potential future state or development. For example, "If we invest in renewable energy, "this could become" a sustainable solution".

What's a more formal alternative to "this could become"?

In formal contexts, you might use phrases like "this has the potential to be" or "this is projected to become". For example, "This research "has the potential to be" groundbreaking in the field".

Is there a difference between "this could become" and "this will become"?

"This could become" expresses possibility, while "this will become" expresses certainty. Use "this could become" when the outcome is not guaranteed. Consider the example: "With proper funding, "this could become" a major project."

What can I say instead of "this could become"?

You can use alternatives such as "this might evolve into", "this may transform into", or "this is liable to turn into" depending on the nuance you want to convey.