I thought potentially

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I thought potentially" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It can be used when expressing a consideration or possibility, but it is better to rephrase for clarity. Example: "I thought potentially about the implications of this decision, but I wasn't sure."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"For a split second I thought potentially I may not be here [when it happened] but the support I've had from my team-mates since day one has been amazing," said Jackson.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I think potentially I can run 2 hours 8 minutes".

The New York Times - Sports

I think potentially she has everything needed to be a world-class player".

Independent

"There are a lot of ifs, of course, but I think potentially it is hugely significant".

The New York Times

I think potentially they could be one of the best teams to ever play, if the talent plays together".

The New York Times - Sports

"I think potentially, at the minor league level, we could have greater participation," said Mike Thompson, Rawlings's senior vice president for marketing and business development.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's a bit early to say 100% but I think potentially it could be on the cards," Froome said on Sky Sports News.

The Guardian - Sport

So I'm in favor of doing it, for all the reasons you've heard time and again, but this is, I think, potentially the most momentous decision of our adult lifetime.

The New Yorker

"I think potentially that's a negative," Dr. Wirt said, adding that it could be read to suggest nervousness, or that such soldiers are too focused on being wounded.

The New York Times

"I think potentially the whole practice of revenue sharing could be called into question," said Roger L. Mandel, a lawyer in Dallas who is seeking class-action status to include other companies using Nationwide for their 401 k)'s.

The New York Times

"The last 50 and 60 years has been a golden era for British culture, in terms of music, film and visual contemporary art, and I think potentially that is coming to an end," he said.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clearer and more impactful writing, replace "I thought potentially" with more direct alternatives like "I considered the potential" or "I believed it was possible".

Common error

Avoid using "potentially" as a generic intensifier. Instead, choose stronger verbs or rephrase to clearly indicate the nature of the possibility you're describing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I thought potentially" functions as an introductory phrase expressing a preliminary consideration or a belief in a possibility. Ludwig AI indicates it may sound awkward or unclear and suggests rephrasing for clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically sound, the phrase "I thought potentially" is relatively uncommon and can come across as stylistically weak or unclear. Ludwig AI suggests clearer alternatives, such as "I considered the possibility" or "I believed it was possible". Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to introduce an idea with uncertainty. For impactful writing, consider replacing "I thought potentially" with stronger, more direct phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I considered the potential

Replaces 'thought' with 'considered' and uses the noun 'potential' instead of the adverb 'potentially'.

I believed it was possible

Replaces 'thought potentially' with a more direct expression of belief and possibility.

I suspected there might be

Uses 'suspected' to convey a degree of uncertainty and 'might be' to indicate possibility.

I entertained the possibility

Replaces 'thought potentially' with 'entertained the possibility', indicating consideration of a chance.

I imagined it could happen

Expresses the idea of possibility through imagination or visualization.

I contemplated the chance

Uses 'contemplated' to suggest a deeper consideration of a chance or opportunity.

I considered the likelihood

Focuses on assessing the probability or chance of something.

I assessed the prospective outcome

Uses more formal language to describe evaluating a potential result.

I figured it was conceivable

Conveys a sense of something being imaginable or believable.

I presupposed it might occur

Emphasizes the act of assuming or taking for granted that something could happen.

FAQs

What's a more natural way to say "I thought potentially"?

Consider using phrases like "I considered the possibility", "I believed it was possible", or "I suspected there might be". These options often sound more natural and direct.

How can I use "I thought potentially" in a sentence?

While grammatically correct, "I thought potentially" can sound awkward. Try rephrasing to something like, "I considered the "potential implications" of the decision before proceeding."

Is "I thought potentially" grammatically correct?

Yes, it's grammatically correct but stylistically weak. Using a stronger verb or rephrasing is recommended for clarity and impact.

What are some alternatives to "I thought potentially" that emphasize consideration?

If you want to emphasize the act of considering something, use phrases like "I considered possibly" or "I entertained the "possibility of"."