but potentially

USAGE SUMMARY

"but potentially" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest that something is possible but not definite. For example: "I'm not sure what's causing this issue, but potentially it could be a problem with the code."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Populist but potentially flawed.

The Guardian

Basic, but potentially useful.

The Guardian - Tech

The parallel is seductive, but potentially misleading.

The Economist

Others are less predictable but potentially explosive.

The New York Times

The interface is brilliant, but potentially spellbinding.

The New York Times

That is right, but potentially misleading.

The Economist

The threat is implicit, but potentially lethal.

Independent

It is harmless to adults but potentially catastrophic for babies.

The Guardian

It is more risky, but potentially more rewarding.

The Guardian - Money

The political permutations are weird, but potentially interesting.

The New York Times - Arts

First in Florida but potentially in other states as well.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but potentially" to introduce a contrasting possibility or outcome, adding nuance to your statements and acknowledging alternative perspectives.

Common error

Avoid using "but potentially" to oversell a weak or unlikely possibility; ensure the potential you're introducing is grounded in some degree of plausibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but potentially" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It serves to introduce a contrasting element of possibility to a prior statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and used to suggest a possible, yet not certain, outcome or characteristic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "but potentially" is a grammatically sound and frequently used conjunctive phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and its purpose is to introduce a contrasting element of possibility or outcome. Appearing most commonly in "news & media" and scientific contexts, it helps to balance statements and acknowledge alternative perspectives. While grammatically correct, it's important to ensure that the potential introduced is plausible and not overstated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet possibly

Replaces "potentially" with "possibly", maintaining the sense of possibility while introducing a contrast.

however conceivably

Substitutes "but" with "however" and "potentially" with "conceivably", emphasizing possibility despite an obstacle.

though perhaps

Uses "though" instead of "but" and "perhaps" for "potentially", suggesting a more tentative possibility.

although maybe

Replaces "but" with "although" and "potentially" with "maybe", creating a slightly more informal tone.

still imaginably

Employs "still" to replace "but" and "imaginably" instead of "potentially", highlighting a sense of something being conceivable.

nevertheless it could be

Offers a more verbose alternative, emphasizing the conditional possibility despite an initial statement.

even so conceivably

Uses "even so" for "but" and "conceivably" for "potentially", stressing that something is imaginable despite what precedes it.

that said, it's possible

Provides a transitional phrase followed by a direct statement of possibility.

on the other hand, perhaps

Introduces a contrasting viewpoint and suggests a tentative possibility.

conversely, it might

Highlights a reversal of perspective with an indication of a potential outcome.

FAQs

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

Use "but potentially" to introduce a contrasting element to a previous statement, suggesting a possible alternative outcome or characteristic. For example, "The task is difficult, "but potentially" very rewarding."

What are some alternatives to saying "but potentially"?

You could use alternatives such as "yet possibly", "however conceivably", or "though perhaps" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "but potentially"?

While starting a sentence with "but" is sometimes discouraged in formal writing, using ""but potentially"" to begin a sentence is grammatically acceptable when used to connect to a previous idea or introduce a contrasting possibility.

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

The phrases ""but potentially"" and "but possibly" are very similar in meaning. "Potentially" often implies a greater degree of undeveloped capacity or possibility than "possibly", but the difference is subtle.