we could survive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we could survive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing potential outcomes or possibilities regarding survival in various contexts, such as in a story, a discussion about challenges, or hypothetical situations. Example: "If we work together and stay focused, we could survive the harsh winter conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

"If we had houses, we could survive".

The New York Times

Fortunately, we could survive on the savanna.

The New York Times - Books

I think we could survive.

The New York Times

I felt we could survive again".

The New York Times - Sports

We could survive in here for days".

The New Yorker

"Although the bombing was very bad, we could live with it, we could survive.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

In other words, while investors were fleeing to quality, you know, getting into cash, we were wading into some of the most toxic, out-of-favor stuff beat-down retailerstuff beat-downretailers with too much debt–and we tried to identify ones that we thought could survive, and we thought if they did survive we'd make many multiples of our money.

Forbes

It made me wonder how we, in Gaza, could survive if we didn't have social media connecting us to the outside world.

Huffington Post

We knew that the show could survive if we just recaptured the audience that used to watch it, a year-and-a-half ago.

Huffington Post

We found that the weevils could survive on rice, wheat, barley, acorn, and chestnut seeds.

Plosone

We have observed that mice could survive a large dose of ricin poisoning if the mice were poisoned by a stepwise increase of the ricin dose.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing hypothetical scenarios, use "we could survive" to express a possibility based on certain conditions. For example, "If we ration our supplies carefully, "we could survive" until rescue arrives."

Common error

Avoid using "we could survive" when a more definitive statement is appropriate. If survival is guaranteed, consider a phrase like "we will survive" to accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we could survive" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing a conditional possibility or potential ability to survive under certain circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we could survive" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to express a conditional possibility of survival. It is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, as validated by Ludwig. While it doesn't guarantee survival, it conveys a sense of hope or potential depending on the circumstances. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is most frequently found in News & Media sources, followed by Science and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context appropriately reflects a possible, rather than certain, outcome. Consider alternatives like "we might survive" or "we can survive" to fine-tune the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we can survive

Indicates a present ability or possibility to survive, differing from the conditional nature of the original phrase.

we might survive

Suggests a lower probability of survival compared to "could", implying more uncertainty.

we may survive

Similar to "might", suggesting a possibility but not a certainty of survival.

we are able to survive

Emphasizes the ability to survive, highlighting capability rather than possibility.

we have the capacity to survive

Highlights the inherent capacity or potential for survival, adding a layer of resilience.

we are in a position to survive

Implies that current circumstances enable survival, focusing on the enabling conditions.

it's possible for us to survive

Puts the emphasis on the possibility and deemphasizes the subject.

we stand a chance of survival

Highlights the existence of an opportunity or likelihood, even if small, for surviving.

survival is within our reach

Expresses that survival is achievable, focusing on the attainability of the outcome.

we can make it through

More informal, indicates the ability to overcome and survive a difficult situation.

FAQs

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

Use "we could survive" to express a conditional possibility of survival. For example: "If we find shelter, "we could survive" the storm."

What is a more formal way to say "we could survive"?

A more formal alternative is "we are capable of survival", which emphasizes the ability and potential for survival.

Is "we could survive" stronger or weaker than "we will survive"?

"We could survive" implies a possibility, while "we will survive" suggests a certainty. Therefore, "we could survive" is a weaker statement.

What can I say instead of "we could survive" to imply a lower chance of survival?

To imply a lower chance, you could use alternatives such as "we might survive" or "we may survive", both of which suggest a possibility but not a strong likelihood.