it was potentially

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was potentially" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing possibilities or uncertainties regarding a situation or outcome. For example, "It was potentially harmful to the environment." Alternative expressions include "it could be" and "it might be."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

In a primitive religious democracy, surrounded by hostile Indian tribes and living under the crown's standing threat to revoke its colonial charter, it was potentially fatal.

The New York Times - Books

Moreover, Amref already has experience of installing solar power in Africa (in health centres and schools) so it was potentially easy to integrate into its existing plan.

The Guardian

Joe Biden said it was "potentially devastating".

The New Yorker

Even so, it was potentially dangerous.

The Guardian

In yesterday's stock market free fall, it was potentially ruinous.

The New York Times

"It was potentially a lot of money for our state.

The New York Times

The incident was great for ratings, but Mr. Maviglio said it was potentially dangerous for California.

The New York Times

It was potentially an interesting commission, if a bit navel-gazing.

The Guardian - Film

In fact, Eminem being in it was potentially a liability from my point of view.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"It's potentially significant".

The New York Times - Sports

But it is potentially draconian.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was potentially", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what 'it' refers to. Ambiguity can weaken the statement's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "it was potentially" in every other sentence when describing hypothetical situations. This can dilute the impact and make your writing seem indecisive. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "'possibly'" or "'conceivably'" to maintain reader engagement and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was potentially" functions as an introductory phrase that qualifies a statement by indicating a degree of possibility or likelihood. Ludwig's examples show it used to express potential risks, benefits, or outcomes that existed in the past.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

21%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was potentially" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that introduces a sense of possibility regarding past situations and their implications. Ludwig's analysis highlights that this phrase appears most often in news and media contexts, with notable presence in scientific literature as well. The phrase effectively communicates uncertainty or speculation about what might have happened or what could have resulted from a specific past event. Use it to add nuance and indicate that outcomes were not definite but rather existed as distinct possibilities. The examples from Ludwig highlight its versatility and broad applicability across various subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was possibly

Indicates a degree of uncertainty or speculation about a past event or state.

it could have been

Focuses on the possibility in the past, similar to expressing a missed opportunity or a danger that was avoided.

it may have been

Suggests a conjecture about what might have happened or been true in the past.

it was perhaps

Adds a layer of doubt or consideration to a statement about a past event.

it might have been

Implies a lower probability or a more speculative view of a past scenario.

it had the potential to be

Emphasizes the inherent capability of something to develop in a certain way in the past.

it was conceivably

Highlights that something was within the realm of possibility, though not necessarily likely.

it was theoretically

States that something aligned with a theory but may not have been practically realized.

it was deemed potentially

Someone assessed the situation and determined it had some potential.

it proved potentially

Implies that after some event or experiment the situation had potential.

FAQs

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

Use "it was potentially" to describe a past situation that had possible future consequences or implications. For example, "The decision, while seemingly minor, "it was potentially" a turning point in the company's history."

What phrases are similar to "it was potentially"?

Alternatives include "it could have been", "it may have been", or "it was possibly", depending on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "it was potentially" or "it is potentially"?

Use "it was potentially" when referring to a past situation or event. Use "it is potentially" when referring to a current or ongoing situation.

What is the difference between "it was potentially" and "it became potentially"?

"It was potentially" suggests that the potential existed from the outset. "It became potentially" suggests that the potential developed or emerged over time.