can potentially

USAGE SUMMARY

'can potentially' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to suggest that something is possible, but not certain. For example, "This data can potentially provide valuable insights into consumer behaviour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But anybody can potentially buy a stock.

The New York Times

He can potentially be a Ma'a Nonu.

The Guardian - Sport

"They can potentially solve big problems".

The Guardian

This show can potentially run forever.

The Guardian - Books

You can potentially eliminate a black bear population".

The New York Times - Science

"The outcome can potentially end their political careers.

The Guardian

Even so, bad reputations can potentially have real costs.

The New York Times

But I guess that can potentially creep in.

The Guardian - Sport

Scabies, when left untreated, can potentially lead to kidney disease.

The Guardian - Opinion

You can potentially get two batches of eggs after mating".

Independent

These barriers can potentially frame their adult sedentary life.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can potentially" when you want to express that something is possible but not guaranteed. It's a good way to introduce a potential outcome without overstating it.

Common error

While "can potentially" is a useful phrase, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive or weak. Vary your language with synonyms like "could possibly", "may perhaps", or other similar expressions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can potentially" functions as a modal phrase, expressing possibility or potential. It indicates that something is capable of happening or being true, but it's not a certainty. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

31%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can potentially" is a grammatically correct and commonly used modal phrase that expresses possibility or potential. It appears frequently in news, science, and general writing, as highlighted by Ludwig. While effective for introducing potential outcomes, overuse should be avoided to maintain writing clarity and variety. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is well-established and appropriate for diverse writing contexts. Remember to vary your language with synonyms like "could possibly" or "may perhaps".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could possibly

Emphasizes a slightly weaker possibility compared to "can potentially".

may perhaps

Suggests a more tentative possibility or uncertainty.

might conceivably

Implies a possibility that is within the realm of imagination or theoretical consideration.

is possibly able to

Rephrases "can potentially" by using "is able to", it sounds longer and a bit more formal.

has the capacity to

Focuses on inherent ability or capability.

is liable to

Implies a tendency or predisposition toward something, often negative.

is subject to

Highlights the conditionality or dependence on external factors.

bears the risk of

Emphasizes the element of risk or negative consequence.

is not unlikely to

Uses a double negative to suggest a positive probability.

is post to

Implies a formal or official assignment.

FAQs

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

Use "can potentially" to indicate a possibility or potential outcome. For example, "This new strategy "can potentially" increase sales".

What can I say instead of "can potentially"?

You can use alternatives like "could possibly", "may perhaps", or "might conceivably" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "can potentially"?

While "can" already implies possibility, ""can potentially"" emphasizes the possibility without making it a certainty. However, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive, so consider using synonyms.

What's the difference between "can potentially" and "will"?

"Can potentially" indicates a possibility, while "will" indicates a certainty or high probability. "This solution "can potentially" solve the problem" means it might solve it, while "This solution will solve the problem" means it is expected to solve it.