potentially

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "potentially" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has the capacity to happen or exist, but it is not certain. Example: "The new policy could potentially improve employee satisfaction and productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This incident constitutes a potential breach of operational security and potentially the commission of a criminal offence under the commonwealth Crimes Act," an officer from the defence security authority wrote.

The Guardian

But even a potentially useful idea like the creation of a carbon-permit market to fight global warming is already being dismissed as Wall Street's "next big scam".

The Economist

For Tsipras, the youngest leader to hold high office in modern times, what lies ahead is a litany of choices with potentially explosive effect.

The Guardian

River flooding could close highways, potentially top levees and threaten some homes and businesses.

The Guardian

"I also welcome the fact that Queen's has shown the corporate courage to tackle sensitive and controversial and potentially divisive issues".

The Guardian

The ice around the edge of Antarctica is melting faster than previously thought, potentially unlocking metres of sea-level rise in the long-term, researchers have warned.

The Guardian

Mike Rogers of Michigan, who also chairs the intelligence committee, criticised a decision to add new software improvements to the website while it was still running, or "hot-swapping code", which he said exposed users to the potentially insecure updates.

The Guardian

A fourth man has died from what police fear is a potentially fatal batch of ecstasy being sold on British streets.

The Guardian

That they should miss two glorious opportunities to take a potentially decisive advantage seemed merely to underline the ­certainty of their looming ordeal.

The Guardian - Sport

In potentially the most significant announcement, Ed Davey, the energy secretary, said he expected to start talks next month with Tidal Lagoon Power, the company that is aiming to build the world's first tidal lagoon power plant in Swansea Bay, to see if the project is affordable and value for money for consumers.

The Guardian

After a bruising cabinet discussion on the citizenship issue was leaked to the media, the Abbott government is still considering stripping sole citizens suspected of terrorist offences if they can potentially access citizenship elsewhere.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "potentially" to introduce a possible outcome or consequence, especially when discussing risks or opportunities. For example, "Investing in renewable energy could "potentially" reduce carbon emissions."

Common error

Avoid using "potentially" when the outcome is highly probable or certain. It's best reserved for situations where there's a genuine element of uncertainty. Don't say "The sun will "potentially" rise tomorrow"; instead, state it as a certainty.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "potentially" is to modify verbs or adjectives, indicating a possibility or likelihood. As Ludwig AI points out, it serves to qualify the certainty of an action or state, softening the assertion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "potentially" is a common and grammatically sound term used to express a degree of possibility or likelihood. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage and notes its prevalence across diverse contexts, primarily in News & Media. While alternatives like "possibly" or "conceivably" exist, "potentially" offers a specific nuance of capability or potential development. It's crucial to use "potentially" when a genuine uncertainty exists, avoiding overstatement in situations where the outcome is near certain. As supported by numerous examples, "potentially" serves as a valuable tool for writers to convey possibilities and probabilities with accuracy and nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possibly

Expresses a lower degree of certainty compared to "potentially".

conceivably

Suggests something is imaginable or believable, but not necessarily likely.

feasibly

Indicates something is capable of being done or carried out.

plausibly

Suggests something is seemingly reasonable or probable.

maybe

A more informal way of expressing possibility or uncertainty.

perhaps

Similar to "maybe", indicating a degree of uncertainty.

theoretically

Indicates something is possible in theory, but not necessarily in practice.

hypothetically

Suggests something is based on a hypothesis or speculation.

likely

Indicates a higher probability compared to "potentially".

presumably

Suggests something is likely based on available evidence or assumptions.

FAQs

How can I use "potentially" in a sentence?

"Potentially" is used to indicate that something is capable of developing into a specific type of result. For example, "This decision could "potentially affect" many people".

What are some synonyms for "potentially"?

Synonyms for "potentially" include "possibly", "conceivably", or "feasibly". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "potentially" or "possible"?

"Potentially" (adverb) modifies a verb, while "possible" (adjective) modifies a noun. Example: "It is "possible" to improve the system" versus "The system could "potentially improve"".

What's the difference between "potentially" and "actually"?

"Potentially" indicates a possibility, whereas "actually" indicates something is a fact. "This could "potentially work"" means it might work. "This "actually works"" means it does work.