what could happen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what could happen" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express a potential outcome, or when you are inquiring about what potential outcomes may result from a given situation. For example: "Given the current political climate, what could happen in the next election?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What could happen?

The New Yorker

What could happen here?

Columbia University

More on what could happen.

The New York Times

That's what could happen tomorrow.

Independent

Who knows what could happen?

The New York Times

Imagine what could happen".

The Guardian

What could happen to me?

Columbia University

So what could happen next?

The Guardian - Business

We'd seen what could happen.

The Guardian - Business

History suggests what could happen.

The New York Times

What could happen to the moles?

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what could happen" to explore potential outcomes and encourage proactive planning. For example, in a business context, consider "what could happen" if a competitor launches a similar product.

Common error

Avoid using "what could happen" excessively in highly speculative scenarios without grounding it in realistic possibilities. Overuse can lead to unfocused and less impactful communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what could happen" functions as an interrogative phrase or an indirect question, often used to explore potential future outcomes or consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound and widely used expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

13%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what could happen" is a versatile and frequently used expression for exploring potential future outcomes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for both formal and informal settings, though more formal alternatives exist. The phrase is commonly found in news articles, academic discussions, and scientific analyses, reflecting its importance in assessing possibilities and planning for the future. Remember to use it judiciously and ground it in realistic scenarios for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what might occur

Replaces 'could' with 'might', indicating a slightly lower probability.

what is possible

Focuses on the realm of possibilities rather than specific events.

what are the potential consequences

Highlights the possible results or effects.

what may transpire

Uses 'may transpire' for a more formal and less common expression of possibility.

what is likely to result

Emphasizes the likely consequences of a situation.

what scenarios are plausible

Focuses on the plausibility of different situations.

what eventualities are foreseen

Focuses on foreseen events using more formal language.

what is in the cards

Uses an idiom to suggest future events are predetermined.

what future lies ahead

Explores the future prospects.

what will come to pass

Employs formal and somewhat archaic language to refer to future events.

FAQs

How can I use "what could happen" in a sentence?

You can use "what could happen" to inquire about possible outcomes or to explore potential consequences. For example, "Given the budget cuts, what could happen to the project's timeline?"

What are some alternatives to "what could happen"?

Some alternatives include "what might occur", "what is possible", or "what may transpire" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "what could happen" or "what will happen"?

"What could happen" explores possibilities, while "what will happen" suggests a higher degree of certainty. Use "what could happen" when discussing potential outcomes and "what will happen" when discussing predictions or certainties.

What's the difference between "what could happen" and "what should happen"?

"What could happen" focuses on potential events, while "what should happen" expresses a preference or ideal outcome. The former is descriptive, while the latter is prescriptive.