is potentially

USAGE SUMMARY

"is potentially" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something might happen or become true, depending on certain conditions. For example: "Her resume is impressive, and she is potentially a great fit for the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is potentially inflationary.

The Economist

That is potentially dangerous.

The Economist

But it is potentially draconian.

The Economist

That is potentially dangerous territory.

The New York Times

This is potentially dangerous advice.

The New York Times

Their clout is potentially mighty.

The New York Times - Books

Bulimia is potentially life threatening.

The New York Times

"Blood is potentially so dramatic".

The New Yorker

"It is potentially dangerous.

The New York Times

This is potentially suspenseful.

The Guardian - Books

It is potentially threatened by climate change.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is potentially" when you want to express that something has the capacity to develop into something specific, given the right circumstances. It's useful for describing future possibilities or outcomes that are not yet certain.

Common error

While correct, overusing "is potentially" can make your writing sound hesitant or weak. Opt for stronger verbs or more direct phrasing when the context allows. For instance, instead of "This is potentially a problem", consider "This poses a problem" for a more assertive tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is potentially" serves as a linking verb phrase that connects a subject with a quality or state that is possible but not yet certain. It is often used to express a degree of uncertainty or possibility, indicating something could happen or could be true. Ludwig AI confirms this is grammatical and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is potentially" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that something has the capacity to develop into a certain state or condition. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and business. While it's a useful phrase, avoid overuse and consider stronger alternatives when appropriate. Ludwig examples show the phrase appearing most frequently in News & Media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is possibly

Replaces "potentially" with "possibly", offering a simpler and more direct way to indicate possibility.

is perhaps

Substitutes "potentially" with "perhaps", conveying a sense of uncertainty or speculation.

could potentially be

Adds redundancy by using both "could" and "potentially", emphasizing possibility.

may potentially be

Similar to "could potentially be", but uses "may" to express a slightly weaker possibility.

is conceivably

Emphasizes the conceivability or imaginability of a situation.

has the potential to be

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the inherent potential rather than the immediate possibility.

is likely to be

Indicates a higher probability compared to "is potentially", suggesting a stronger likelihood.

can be

A more direct construction to express a possibility, often used in technical or factual contexts.

is liable to be

Implies a tendency or inclination towards a particular outcome.

is apt to be

Similar to "is liable to be", but with a slightly more formal tone.

FAQs

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

Use "is potentially" to indicate that something has the possibility of developing into a certain state or condition. For example, "This new technology "is potentially" revolutionary" suggests it has the capacity to cause a major change.

What are some alternatives to "is potentially"?

Alternatives include "is possibly", "may be", or "could be". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey regarding likelihood and certainty.

Is it redundant to say "could potentially be"?

Yes, "could potentially be" is often considered redundant because both "could" and "potentially" express possibility. Using just "could be" or "is potentially" is usually more concise.

What's the difference between "is potentially" and "is likely"?

"Is potentially" indicates a possibility, while "is likely" suggests a higher probability or expectation. For example, "This decision "is potentially" risky" means it might involve risk, whereas "This decision "is likely" to be risky" implies a greater chance of a negative outcome.