could potentially delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could potentially delay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility of something causing a delay in a process or timeline. Example: "The heavy rain could potentially delay the construction schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"Primarily, DBS delays prevent a childminder from operating, and at worst it could potentially delay the growth of the sector," says chief executive Liz Bayram.

The Guardian - Money

The legal challenge at London's High Court, which is expected to last seven days, could potentially delay the scheme for years if successful.

Independent

"A hard landing for China could lead to much lower growth and inflation in the UK which, in turn, could potentially delay the first rate hike until 2017 or beyond," says Goodwin.

The Guardian - Business

The legal challenge could potentially delay the scheme for years if successful Risk of abuse and mistreatment means UK forces cannot transfer suspected insurgents to Afghan intelligence service, judge told The High Court reserved judgment today on a plea by radical cleric Abu Hamza, who is fighting extradition to the US, to have further medical tests.

Independent

Is that because it's a power wholesaler, so it has no retail customer base that could potentially delay a deal?

Forbes

For example, if a merchandiser is not certain about the color assortment plans due to fast-changing consumers' tastes, the merchandiser and the sourcers could potentially delay dyeing processes.

Fashion and Textiles

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Continued apathy in this area could not only potentially delay achieving global targets for TB control but also undo, in the long run, the hard-earned achievements of National TB Programmes.

Tuberculosis

Germany's political impasse could also complicate and potentially delay the Brexit negotiations - Britain has just over a year to strike a divorce deal with the EU ahead of an exit planned for March 29 , 2019

Huffington Post

That means a deal for Bravo could potentially be delayed until late in the transfer window.

The Guardian - Sport

This means that the report could potentially be delayed until 2014.

BBC

Ambulatory decline in patients with nmDMD could potentially be delayed or stabilized with disease-modifying treatment.

Neuromuscular Disorders

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could potentially delay", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being delayed and the possible consequences of the delay. This improves clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid stacking multiple hedging words together. While "could potentially delay" is acceptable, adding more qualifiers (e.g., "might possibly could potentially delay") weakens your statement and makes it sound uncertain. Choose the most appropriate level of hedging and stick to it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could potentially delay" functions as a hedge, expressing a possibility or likelihood without stating it as a certainty. Ludwig examples show its use in discussing possible hindrances or postponements. As stated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

56%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could potentially delay" is a useful expression for indicating a possible, but not definite, delay. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts. While alternatives like "might postpone" or "may impede" exist, "could potentially delay" provides a nuanced way to hedge predictions. Remember to use it judiciously to avoid over-hedging. Examples from sources like The Guardian, Independent and Forbes, confirm its consistent usage in News & Media and Science. In summary, this phrase is a reliable tool for expressing cautious predictions about possible delays, as long as it is used with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may realistically postpone

Indicates a postponement that is realistic.

might possibly postpone

Emphasizes both possibility and postponement, slightly stronger than "could potentially delay".

may potentially impede

Focuses on the hindering aspect of the delay, adding a sense of obstruction.

can possibly slow down

Simplifies the original phrase, using more common vocabulary to convey the same meaning.

can plausibly decelerate

It gives more importance to the plausibility aspect.

might conceivably hinder

Similar to 'may potentially impede' but with a slightly weaker sense of causation.

could conceivably defer

Focuses on deferment, implying a temporary postponement.

may perhaps decelerate

Emphasizes the slowing down aspect of the delay, suggesting a reduction in speed.

can conceivably retard

Uses 'retard' to indicate slowing, which can sometimes be considered insensitive depending on context.

might realistically setback

Indicates a reversal or impediment of progress.

FAQs

How do I use "could potentially delay" in a sentence?

Use "could potentially delay" to indicate a possibility of something causing a delay. For example, "The legal challenge "could potentially delay" the project for years".

What are some alternatives to "could potentially delay"?

Alternatives include "might postpone", "may impede", or "can slow down" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "could potentially delay" redundant?

While "potentially" can be seen as adding emphasis to "could", it's commonly used and accepted in English to express a moderate degree of possibility. Removing "potentially" doesn't change the core meaning but makes it sound more certain.

What is the difference between "could delay" and "could potentially delay"?

"Could delay" suggests a possibility of delay. Adding "potentially" emphasizes that the delay is a possibility, but not a certainty. The addition adds a degree of hedging.