is potentially that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is potentially that" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express uncertainty or possibility, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "The outcome of the experiment is potentially that it could lead to new discoveries."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The fastest rate of postnatal growth in the human lifecycle is (potentially) that of a preterm baby between 23 and 27 weeks' gestation when weight gain is approximately 21 g.kg-1.d-1 [ 4].

BMC Pediatrics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"It's potentially that diversity that helps keep homicide out of those areas," she said.

Huffington Post

"But over here every election is potentially like that".

The New Yorker

This is something that is potentially important for any conservation program that includes captive rearing".

Science Magazine

That is something that is potentially not very effective and potentially inhumane".

The Guardian

That is potentially dangerous.

The Economist

That is potentially dangerous territory.

The New York Times

That is potentially a bankrupting situation.

The Guardian - Sport

It's not just the injury; it's the insult that is potentially socially destructive.

The New Yorker

If true, that is potentially good news for the insurer.

The Economist

And that is potentially dangerous for Ms Rousseff.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing potential, consider restructuring your sentence to use verbs like "could be", "may be", or adverbs like "possibly" or "perhaps" for clearer and more grammatically sound phrasing. For example, instead of saying "the outcome is potentially that", consider saying "the outcome could be".

Common error

Avoid using unnecessarily complex structures when expressing possibility. Phrases like "is potentially that" can often be simplified for better clarity. Instead of saying "the problem is potentially that it will cause delays", opt for "the problem could cause delays" which is more concise and direct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is potentially that" functions as a connector linking a subject to a potential outcome or characteristic. However, as noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase lacks clarity and grammatical elegance and could often be replaced with more precise alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is potentially that" aims to convey a sense of possibility, but its construction is often less than ideal. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase may lack clarity and grammatical correctness. While it appears in various contexts like news, science, and wiki sources, it's advisable to opt for more refined alternatives such as "could be", "may be", or "is possibly that" for enhanced clarity and grammatical strength. By doing so, you can ensure your writing is both precise and easy to understand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is potentially the case

Adds specificity by indicating a possible scenario or situation.

could potentially be

Uses "could" to indicate a possibility, adding an auxiliary verb for grammatical correctness.

might potentially be

Similar to "could potentially be", but uses "might" instead.

is possibly that

Replaces "potentially" with "possibly", offering a simpler alternative.

may be that

Uses "may be" to indicate a possibility, providing a more concise phrasing.

is perhaps that

Substitutes "potentially" with "perhaps" for a slightly more formal tone.

it is potentially the case that

Adds an introductory clause "it is" to clarify the phrase structure.

that is potentially so

Inverts the structure and uses "so" as a substitute for "that", changing emphasis.

is liable to be that

It is likely to be, changing emphasis.

is apt to be that

It is appropriate to be, changing emphasis.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "is potentially that" for better clarity?

Consider using alternatives like "could be", "may be", or "possibly" followed by the rest of your sentence. These options often provide a clearer and more grammatically correct way to express potential.

What's wrong with using the phrase "is potentially that"?

While understandable, the phrase "is potentially that" can sound awkward or grammatically incorrect. It's often more effective to use simpler constructions to convey the same meaning. Ludwig AI analysis suggests that this phrase does not convey a clear meaning in written English.

Which is better, "is potentially that" or "could potentially be"?

"Could potentially be" is generally better as it incorporates the auxiliary verb "could", making it grammatically stronger. However, simplifying it further to "could be" is often the best option for conciseness.

When is it appropriate to use "is potentially that"?

While not strictly incorrect, "is potentially that" is rarely the most elegant choice. It might be acceptable in informal conversation, but in formal writing, it's advisable to use more precise and grammatically sound alternatives.