could potentially win

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could potentially win" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility of someone or something achieving victory or success in a competition or situation. Example: "With their strong performance this season, the team could potentially win the championship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

There's probably three teams in each division that could potentially win the World Series.

The New York Times

But if written narrowly, a background check provision could potentially win bipartisan support.

The New York Times

Of course, if you choose the option that could potentially win the game without overtime, the other side of that coin is sudden defeat.

Cornell University

I knew I could potentially win three gold medals, but I wanted to keep that quiet and then let the results speak for themselves".

The Guardian - Sport

"I'm just looking at one race at a time," said Freney, who could potentially win three more golds in the coming days.

The Guardian - Sport

Depending on how artfully the motion is worded, it could potentially win a substantial number of Democratic votes and derail the entire process.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

The announcement an hour before kick-off that champions Queens Park Rangers would not face a points deduction from the Alejandro Faurlin hearing confirmed that Cardiff, who were in third at the start of play, could not potentially win automatic promotion with victory at Turf Moor.

BBC

Even without the formal endorsement, Ryan could now potentially win a speaker's race if two-thirds of the caucus members voted for him.

Los Angeles Times

But I am betting A Star Is Born opens much higher, closer to $50 million range in fact, with Venom coming in close to the same territory, meaning either film could potentially wind up winning the weekend.

Forbes

I could have potentially won on the Champs-Élysées.

The Guardian - Sport

Although his family didn't get to compete in the "Fast Money" bonus round, we're going to venture to guess that despite the lockout, Paul's family likely wasn't hurting for the $20,000 they could have potentially won.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could potentially win" to express a realistic possibility of winning, not a guaranteed outcome. It implies a chance that is more than just theoretical.

Common error

Avoid using "could potentially win" when the outcome is almost certain. Instead, use phrases that indicate a higher degree of confidence, such as "is likely to win."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could potentially win" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing possibility or potentiality. Ludwig showcases many examples where it describes a non-definite, yet plausible, outcome. It modifies a verb, indicating a chance of achieving a victory or success.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Academia

13%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could potentially win" is a modal verb phrase used to express the possibility of achieving victory. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, especially in News & Media and Academic contexts. While the phrase is considered acceptable, it's vital to be mindful of situations where the outcome is more certain; in such instances, alternative phrases that indicate a higher degree of confidence may be more appropriate. Understanding the nuances of "could potentially win" allows for more precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has the potential to win

Focuses on the inherent ability to win.

stands a chance of winning

Highlights the probability of winning something.

is likely to win

Suggests a high probability of winning.

is capable of winning

Emphasizes the capability and skill to win.

might triumph

Emphasizes the possibility of winning, using a more formal verb.

may secure a win

Implies achieving a win with a degree of certainty.

may be victorious

Suggests a possibility of victory in a slightly more formal tone.

is in contention for the win

Indicates active participation and possibility of winning.

could emerge as the victor

More descriptive and emphasizes the final outcome.

could pull off a victory

Suggests winning against the odds or expectations.

FAQs

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

You can use "could potentially win" to describe a situation where someone or something has a reasonable chance of winning, like "The team's strong defense means they "could potentially win" the championship".

What's a less verbose alternative to "could potentially win"?

Consider using shorter alternatives such as "might win", "may win", or "could win" if you want to express a similar idea more concisely.

Is it redundant to use "potentially" with "could"?

While some may view it as slightly redundant, using "potentially" with "could" emphasizes the possibility and isn't grammatically incorrect. Ludwig indicates that "could potentially win" is correct and usable. However, it's important to be mindful of wordiness.

Which is more appropriate, "could win" or "could potentially win"?

"Could win" is more concise and often sufficient. "Could potentially win" adds emphasis to the possibility, which might be suitable in specific contexts where you want to highlight uncertainty or potential.