this could support

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this could support" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when suggesting that something may provide assistance or validation to a particular idea or argument. Example: "The data collected from the recent survey is promising; this could support our hypothesis about consumer behavior."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

This could support African regional peacekeepers already there, and operate with French military backing.

The Economist

Estimates suggest this could support the construction of between 12,000 and 17,000 new affordable homes a year.

The Guardian

With the seemingly inevitable shift of universities to glorified employment-training centres, a worthwhile challenge for ministers now is not to distract us by complaining about trivialities around family connections, but to consider robust and effective action to provide more student work experience and how this could support the critical issues and skills shortages facing the country.

The Guardian

This could support an argument for Snapchat to stay independent.

TechCrunch

Developing an effective mechanism for early childhood teacher education, this could support diverse, flexible and context-sensitive practice.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

This could support more robust interdisciplinary discussion and collaboration with humanistic researchers in areas such as as cultural anthropology, cultural sociology, history, and literature.

Complex Adaptive Systems Modeling

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

The idea was that this spectrum could support multiple services, creating competition and driving down prices.

The New York Times

"Few places in this country could support our business, which survives by combining fresh produce and agritourism," he said.

The New York Times

This fact could support the possible reason for the ambiguous bright spot.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

This browse could support the milking herd and the camel calves that remain at the homesteads.

Pastoralism

In coronary heart disease, this idea could support the use of 68Ga-DOTATATE for the detection of vulnerable plaques.

EJNMMI Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this could support", ensure that the 'this' clearly refers to a specific piece of evidence, argument, or idea presented previously to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "this could support" when the evidence is weak or circumstantial. Overstating the strength of the support can undermine your credibility. Instead, consider phrases like "this might suggest" or "this could hint at" for weaker connections.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this could support" functions as a linking phrase, connecting a piece of evidence or a statement to a conclusion or hypothesis. According to Ludwig, it suggests a potential relationship where the former provides validation or justification for the latter. It implies that the preceding information offers a basis for accepting or believing the subsequent statement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this could support" is a linking phrase used to suggest a potential relationship between evidence and a conclusion. It functions to offer a rationale or justification, and it is generally neutral in register. Ludwig AI analysis shows that the phrase is primarily used in scientific and news contexts, but can appear across various forms of writing, though is considered uncommon. When using this phrase, ensure that the 'this' clearly refers to specific evidence and avoid overstating the strength of the support. Consider alternatives like "this might bolster" or "this may reinforce" for similar but nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this might bolster

Replaces 'could' with 'might' and 'support' with 'bolster', indicating a slightly weaker degree of certainty and a more active form of support.

this may reinforce

Substitutes 'could' with 'may' and 'support' with 'reinforce', suggesting a strengthening effect rather than initial support.

this could validate

Replaces 'support' with 'validate', implying a confirmation of accuracy or correctness.

this might justify

Substitutes 'support' with 'justify', indicating a provision of reasons or evidence to defend or excuse something.

this could substantiate

Replaces 'support' with 'substantiate', emphasizing the provision of evidence to prove the truth of something.

this may lend credence to

Replaces 'could support' with 'may lend credence to', suggesting that something is made more believable or plausible.

this could lend weight to

Similar to lending credence, but focuses on adding importance or influence to an idea.

this might give credence to

Similar to 'may lend credence to', this suggests that something is made more believable or plausible with a slightly reduced similarity.

this may offer confirmation of

Replaces 'could support' with 'may offer confirmation of', indicating a higher degree of certainty and a more passive form of support.

this might be indicative of

Shifts the focus to suggestion or indication, implying that something serves as a sign or symptom of something else.

FAQs

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

Use "this could support" to suggest that something provides validation or assistance to an idea. For example, "The new data aligns with our initial findings; "this could support" our hypothesis about market trends".

What are some alternatives to "this could support"?

Alternatives include "this might bolster", "this may reinforce", or "this could validate" depending on the specific context and the strength of the supporting evidence.

Is it better to say "this could support" or "this supports"?

"This could support" indicates a possibility or suggestion, while "this supports" implies a stronger, more definitive confirmation. The choice depends on the certainty of the evidence and the argument being made. Use "this supports" only when the evidence is conclusive.

What is the difference between "this could support" and "this might support"?

The difference is subtle, with "could" suggesting a slightly higher probability than "might". Both phrases express a possibility, but "could" implies a more reasonable likelihood of providing support than "this might support".