it will potentially be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it will potentially be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that may happen or be true in the future, indicating uncertainty or possibility. Example: "The new policy will potentially be beneficial for employee morale, but we need to assess its impact first."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

But it will potentially be a rocky 12 months with plenty of good and bad catalysts.

The Guardian - Business

That would be incredible," says Jones, adding that "in the near future it will potentially be possible to beam 3D images to mobile phones and into the home.

Independent

Not only do you need to know your invention, you need to know where it will potentially be sold and where it can be made in the future.

TechCrunch

The investment period for the fund is pegged at five years, meaning it will potentially be investing $20BN into tech startups globally each year.

TechCrunch

It will potentially be inaccurate, though I'm not certain you can find a universally agreed upon definition... but it is how I will be trying to define things.

Huffington Post

However, without data contribution being mandatory, it will potentially be open to selection bias in a similar manner to surgeon-specific outcomes in secondary care.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

It'll potentially be a Libertarian's wet dream, allowing for lax gun laws, no welfare state, looser building codes and lots of other freedoms that those pesky governments won't allow.

Vice

In fact the 33 multiple-choice questions left me in no doubt of the historical and moral burden that I will potentially be taking on.

The Guardian

If not, renewed conflict appears imminent and will potentially be most dire if it reaches south to this heavily populated port city, the country's commercial hub.

The New York Times

Open skies is an agreement between the EU and the US, which the UK will potentially be cut out of of it leaves Europe without a similar deal.

Vice

Now that has apparently changed, and Apple's business strategy in offering an Apple phone will potentially be as intriguing as its industrial design.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it will potentially be" when you want to express a possibility or a potential outcome in the future without stating it as a certainty. This phrase is particularly useful in scenarios where you're discussing future plans, projects, or predictions, where the outcome is not yet determined.

Common error

Avoid using "potentially" too frequently in formal writing, as it can make your statements sound less decisive. Opt for stronger verbs or more direct phrasing when the context allows. For example, instead of "the project will potentially be successful", consider "the project is likely to succeed" or "the project has a good chance of success."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it will potentially be" functions as a modal expression indicating a future possibility or potential outcome. It suggests that something may occur or exist in the future, but it is not a certainty. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it will potentially be" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a possible, but not certain, future outcome. Ludwig's analysis shows that it appears most frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. While there are several alternative phrases you can use, "it may be" and "it could be" offer similar meanings with slight differences in emphasis. Remember to use this phrase when expressing a possibility and avoid overuse in strictly formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it could possibly be

Emphasizes possibility with the addition of "possibly", making it slightly more informal.

it may potentially be

Adds "potentially" after "may", which can seem redundant but emphasizes the potential aspect.

it might potentially be

Similar to "may", but with a slightly weaker sense of likelihood.

it could be

Simplifies the phrase to express possibility more directly, removing the emphasis on potential.

it is possibly going to be

Rephrases the sentence using "going to be" to indicate a future event, with "possibly" expressing uncertainty.

it is likely to be

Indicates a higher degree of probability compared to "potentially".

it will probably be

Similar to "likely", but with a slightly more casual tone.

it is conceivable that it will be

Introduces the idea of conceivability, suggesting something is possible but not necessarily probable.

it is not impossible that it will be

Expresses possibility by negating impossibility, making it a more formal alternative.

it has the potential to be

Focuses on the inherent potential of something rather than predicting the future.

FAQs

How can I use "it will potentially be" in a sentence?

Use "it will potentially be" to describe a future outcome that is possible but not guaranteed. For instance, "The new policy "it will potentially be" beneficial for employee morale, but we need to assess its impact first."

What are some alternatives to "it will potentially be"?

You can use alternatives like "it may be", "it could be", or "it is likely to be" depending on the degree of certainty you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "potentially" with other modal verbs?

Using "potentially" with modal verbs like "may" or "might" can sometimes be seen as redundant, but it emphasizes the aspect of potential. Consider if the extra emphasis is necessary for your intended meaning.

What's the difference between "it will potentially be" and "it will probably be"?

"It will potentially be" suggests a possibility, while "it will probably be" indicates a higher likelihood. "Probably" implies a stronger expectation of the outcome.