potentially be done

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "potentially be done" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility of completing a task or action in the future. Example: "The project may potentially be done by the end of the month if all goes well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

With virtual staging, photos of a home are digitally altered to show potential buyers what could potentially be done in the space, without actually making the changes.

The New York Times

A lot of harm can potentially be done, however, by news stories that pointlessly undermine museums and sabotage exciting exhibitions.

The Guardian - Arts

These activities could potentially be done much more efficiently and effectively using social technologies — we figure by 20-25%.

Harvard Business Review

"This could potentially be done by agreeing an additional long-term loan from the E.U. with a lower interest rate".

The New York Times

The requirements of the test are simple enough that it can potentially be done under relatively basic field conditions in rural and undeveloped areas of the world.

Stanford University

"[The PNNL] technology is attractive because it's something that could potentially be done in the near term to move forward in reducing carbon emissions," he says.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

And there is no doubt that Canada at the source in those tar sands could potentially be doing more to mitigate carbon release.

The New York Times

The point of this article is exactly how foods affect our moods, and I absolutely agree with Richard that some of the foods you've been eating could potentially be doing more harm than not.

Harvard University

"When people wake up from their Bush hangovers, six months from now," Mr. Bond said, "it is my belief that they are not going to be buying into some of the things that Obama will potentially be doing.

The New York Times

And there is no doubt that Canada at the source in those tar sands could potentially be doing more to mitigate carbon release". It was the second time in just over a month that Obama has cited the environmental effects of the pipeline, following his mention of the project in his sweeping climate change address.

The Guardian

"But the more and more we thought about it, and I was very hesitant to start with, we thought potentially if this film is going to be big, there could well be lots of other people trying to jump on the bandwagon, cash in on the name, and potentially be doing it as a one-hit wonder, just thinking about the money and not doing it properly.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "potentially be done", consider the context and choose synonyms like "achievable" or "realized" for a more nuanced meaning.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "potentially" in close proximity. Vary your language by using alternatives like "possibly", "feasibly", or "conceivably" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "potentially be done" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing possibility or likelihood. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it indicates that an action or task could be completed, depending on certain conditions or future events. It softens the assertion, suggesting a degree of uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "potentially be done" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate the possibility of future completion. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to express likelihood or contingency. While suitable for diverse contexts, it's frequently observed in news, scientific, and academic domains. To enhance writing, it's advisable to avoid overuse and consider synonyms for nuanced meaning. Remember that 'potentially' already implies 'can', so avoid redundancy. The examples above, provided by Ludwig, illustrate the phrase's practical application and versatility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could possibly be completed

Replaces "potentially" with "possibly", emphasizing the uncertainty and possibility of completion.

might be achievable

Shifts focus to the achievability of the action, suggesting a slightly higher degree of feasibility.

may be accomplished

A more formal alternative, suitable for professional or academic contexts.

is possibly executable

Highlights the practical execution aspect, implying that the action is feasible to carry out.

can be realized

Emphasizes the transformation of a plan or idea into reality.

could come to fruition

An idiomatic alternative, suggesting the successful development and completion of something over time.

is within the realm of possibility

A more descriptive alternative, explicitly stating that the action is possible.

is conceivably finished

Highlights the believability of being finished.

is hypothetically completable

Highlights the hypothetical aspect and focuses on it being able to be complete.

is possibly finished

Replaces "potentially" with "possibly" but changes the verb from "be done" to "finished".

FAQs

How can I use "potentially be done" in a sentence?

You can use "potentially be done" to describe a task or project that may be completed in the future. For example, "The project may "potentially be done" by the end of the quarter."

What phrases are similar to "potentially be done"?

Alternatives include "could possibly be completed", "might be achievable", or "may be accomplished", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it better to say "potentially can be done" or "potentially be done"?

"Potentially can be done" is redundant. The word "can" is implied within "potentially", so it's better to use the concise phrase "potentially be done".

What's the difference between "potentially be done" and "possibly be done"?

While both phrases express uncertainty about completion, "potentially be done" suggests there are necessary conditions for completion, whereas "possibly be done" simply states that it might occur.