we could finally

USAGE SUMMARY

"we could finally" is a grammatically correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to convey that you have been waiting for something to happen and have eventually achieved the desired goal. Example: After weeks of hard work, we could finally submit our report on time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Remove the government interference, and we could finally control costs.

The Washington Post

We could finally return to the promised land".

The New York Times

That was the only way we could finally make a decision, because the room was split.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Monday is a day when we could finally have this incredible election ended".

The New York Times

But "we won" most of all, because we could finally say "we".

The Guardian - Sport

Really glad we could finally address that for the third time this month.

The New Yorker

We could finally pounce on a post-sixties culture with the equity feminism promised us.

The New Yorker

When the bubble burst, we could finally focus on building the business.

The New York Times

The next day, every lift was open, and we could finally explore the peak.

The New York Times - Travel

Now we could finally go to school with our heads held high".

The New Yorker

We could finally do the graphics in a way where it looked like you were in the show.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we could finally" to clearly indicate that a desired outcome or action was achieved after a period of waiting or difficulty. For example, "After months of negotiations, we could finally reach an agreement."

Common error

Avoid using "we could finally" in purely hypothetical scenarios. It implies that something was eventually achieved, so it's less appropriate for discussing possibilities that may never materialize. Instead, use "we might finally" or "we may finally" for such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we could finally" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating the attainment of a long-awaited opportunity or capability. Ludwig examples demonstrate it preceding a verb to describe an action that becomes possible after a period of time or effort.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we could finally" is a versatile and common expression used to indicate that a long-awaited opportunity or capability has materialized. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts. The phrase is particularly prevalent in news and media, but also appears in academic and scientific writing, signaling its neutrality and broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects a situation where a previously unrealizable action has now become possible. Remember that Ludwig provides several alternatives such as "we were eventually able to" or "we managed to finally" if you want to rephrase the content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were eventually able to

Changes the modal verb from "could" to "were able to" and emphasizes the eventual ability to do something.

we were at last able to

Uses "at last" for emphasis on the long-awaited opportunity or ability.

we managed to finally

Replaces "could" with "managed to", highlighting effort and success in achieving something.

we succeeded in finally

Focuses on the successful outcome after a period of time or effort.

we had the chance to finally

Emphasizes the availability of an opportunity that was previously lacking.

the opportunity finally arose for us to

Shifts the focus to the opportunity becoming available, allowing action.

it became possible for us to

Focuses on the change in circumstances that made something achievable.

we reached a point where we could

Highlights reaching a specific stage or condition that enables action.

we were now in a position to

Indicates a change in status or condition that allows for a specific action.

circumstances allowed us to

Highlights the role of external factors in enabling a particular action.

FAQs

How can I use "we could finally" in a sentence?

"We could finally" indicates that after some time or effort, a certain action or state became possible. For example, "After years of saving, we could finally buy our dream home."

What are some alternatives to "we could finally"?

You can use alternatives such as "we were eventually able to", "we managed to finally", or "we were at last able to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "we can finally" instead of "we could finally"?

While both are grammatically correct, "we could finally" implies a past event that has now come to fruition, whereas "we can finally" suggests a present or future possibility. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "we could finally" and "we were finally able to"?

"We could finally" suggests the possibility arising after a certain point, while "we were finally able to" emphasizes the ability or capacity to do something after overcoming challenges or obstacles. The difference is subtle, but "able to" highlights the effort involved.