which could start

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which could start" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a possibility or potential for something to begin or commence. Example: "There are several factors to consider, one of which could start a significant change in our approach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Investors will start panicking in the stock markets, which could start falling sharply.

The Guardian

Alternatively, he may decide the wrangle warrants a full trial which could start as early next month.

Independent

The worry among some countries like Britain was that automatic losses for some creditors could set off fears of losses at other institutions, which could start bank runs.

The New York Times

The worry is that automatic losses for some creditors could set off fears of losses at other institutions, which could start bank runs.

The New York Times

But there are signs that the high prices have started to hurt demand in the United States and other developed countries, which could start pushing prices down again.

The New York Times

Mr. Kerry's main preoccupation in recent weeks has been to broker a resumption of peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians, which could start next week in Washington.

The New York Times

It will be used by a Canadian firm, which could start extracting copper and gold off the coast of Papua New Guinea next year.

Independent

The Circle of Friends of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden will donate $36 million toward the renovation, which could start in 2008.

The New York Times

"A delay of a year and a half makes Elian 8, which could start this whole process all over again," Professor Hernandez-Truyol said.

The New York Times

In those words lay a telling reference to the thinking of the I.R.A., which could start disarming immediately and still have an enormous arsenal left.

The New York Times

A big improvement on the Amazon, which could start in 20 degrees of frost but went spare if it met a snowdrift.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which could start" to introduce a potential consequence or development, adding nuance to your writing by indicating possibility rather than certainty.

Common error

A common mistake is using "which could start" without a clear antecedent for "which". Ensure the noun or clause "which" refers to is unambiguous and grammatically correct to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which could start" functions as a relative clause introducing a potential consequence or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to add additional information about a preceding noun or clause, indicating a possibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which could start" functions as a relative clause introducing a possible commencement or consequence. As Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase, it's essential to ensure clarity by providing a clear referent for "which". Predominantly used in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, this phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse writing scenarios. By understanding its function and potential pitfalls, writers can effectively leverage "which could start" to convey nuanced meanings in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that might begin

Emphasizes the potential commencement with a slightly different verb.

that may initiate

Uses a more formal verb to suggest a starting action.

that can trigger

Highlights the cause-and-effect relationship of something beginning.

that has the potential to commence

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the potential for beginning.

that is liable to spark

Suggests a sudden or energetic start.

that might set in motion

Focuses on the initiation of a process or series of events.

that has the capacity to launch

Implies a formal or significant beginning.

that is apt to generate

Indicates a natural tendency to begin or create something.

that risks instigating

Highlights the potential for causing a start, often with negative connotations.

that promises to unleash

Suggests a powerful or unrestrained beginning.

FAQs

How can I use "which could start" in a sentence?

Use "which could start" to introduce a potential action or consequence stemming from a preceding clause. For instance, "The lack of funding, "which could start" a chain of layoffs, is a major concern."

What are some alternatives to "which could start"?

You can use alternatives such as "that might begin", "that may initiate", or "that can trigger depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "that could start" instead of "which could start"?

In many cases, "that could start" is acceptable, especially in restrictive clauses. However, "which could start" is preferred in non-restrictive clauses that add extra information. Reviewing the specific context will help determine which is most appropriate.

What's the difference between "which could lead to" and ""which could start""?

"Which could lead to" implies a sequence of events or a progression toward a specific outcome, while "which could start" focuses on the initial action or beginning of something. "Which could lead to" is about consequences, while ""which could start"" is about initiation.