are potentially

USAGE SUMMARY

'are potentially' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something has the potential for something to happen, but it may or may not happen. For example: These changes to the budget are potentially beneficial to the organization.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are potentially dangerous.

The New York Times - Magazine

These are potentially unrecoverable.

The New York Times

Those are potentially good outcomes.

The New York Times

The stakes are potentially high.

The New York Times

The consequences are potentially disastrous.

The New York Times

The benefits are potentially mutual.

The New York Times

"They are potentially malnourished".

The New York Times - Sports

Outputs are potentially infinite.

University of California, Berkeley

Some are potentially fatal.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Both options are potentially catastrophic.

The Guardian

The charges are potentially devastating.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are potentially" to introduce possibilities or likely outcomes, ensuring the context clearly indicates what the potential entails. For instance, "These findings are potentially groundbreaking, offering new avenues for research."

Common error

Avoid using "are potentially" when the outcome is already certain or highly probable. Replace it with a more direct statement to maintain accuracy and credibility. For example, instead of "The results are potentially conclusive", use "The results are conclusive".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are potentially" functions as a modal adjunct, modifying the verb to express possibility or likelihood. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates that something has the potential to happen or exist, but is not yet a certainty. This usage is supported by numerous examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

13%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

13%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are potentially" is a versatile modal adjunct used to express possibility or likelihood. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. With a very common frequency and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news media and academic writing, it serves to introduce uncertainty or speculation without committing to a definite prediction. When using "are potentially", it's crucial to ensure the context clearly defines the potential and to avoid overstating certainty when describing confirmed or certain situations. Consider alternatives like "may be" or "could be" for conciseness or formality, but understand that the best choice is influenced by context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be

Expresses a possibility or likelihood, similar to "are potentially" but more concise.

may be

Indicates a possibility or likelihood, offering a slightly more formal tone.

might be

Similar to "may be", suggesting a possibility but perhaps with a slightly lower probability.

have the capacity to be

Emphasizes the inherent ability or capability for something to happen or exist.

are possibly

Directly indicates a possibility, using an adverb to modify the verb "are".

can become

Focuses on the potential for transformation or development into something else.

are conceivably

Suggests that something is imaginable or believable, though not necessarily likely.

are liable to be

Indicates a tendency or predisposition towards a particular outcome.

are subject to being

Highlights that something is vulnerable to or at risk of a certain condition or outcome.

have the prospect of being

Emphasizes the future possibility or expectation of something occurring.

FAQs

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

Use "are potentially" to indicate that something has the possibility of developing into something specific. For example, "These changes "are potentially beneficial" if implemented correctly."

What's a good alternative to "are potentially"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "may be", "could be", or "might be" to express a similar meaning.

Is it ever wrong to use "are potentially"?

Avoid using "are potentially" when describing something that is already confirmed or certain. In such cases, a more direct statement is more appropriate and accurate.

What's the difference between "are potentially" and "are possibly"?

"Are potentially" suggests an unrealized possibility that could develop, while "are possibly" indicates a current state of being where something may be true or factual. The subtle distinction lies in the emphasis on future development versus current uncertainty.