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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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potentially containing

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "potentially containing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that may include or hold certain elements or substances, but it is not guaranteed. Example: "The package may be potentially containing hazardous materials, so handle it with care."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She had taken a picture of a working-class home, covered in England flags: exactly the kind of home potentially containing the kind of "white van man" voter that the Labour leadership is accused of being out of touch with.

News & Media

The Guardian

The head of the domestic intelligence agency resigned in July because an official in his office had shredded documents potentially containing evidence from paid informants about members of the group.

News & Media

The New York Times

Those results were based on single marker-trait associations in a genome-scan to identify broad chromosomal regions potentially containing genes affecting traits of interest.

These data include a humanreadable descriptive output file and binary files potentially containing fromtens of megabytes to multiple gigabytes of additional data (such as molecularorbitals and molecular dynamics trajectories).

The first usually involves a rapid search, so that the image regions that do not match an expected feature of the vehicle are disregarded, and only a small number of regions potentially containing vehicles are further analyzed.

The procedure can suck up some mitochondria, too, however, meaning that a few thousand copies of mitochondrial DNA, some potentially containing the disease-causing flaw, can get into the donor egg.

Science & Research

Science Magazine

For the past two years, the flaw has made it possible for criminals to grab little chunks of data from many of the common sites we use – some of it potentially containing password information.

News & Media

BBC

When one is not sure how to choose this threshold, using a large value erring on the side of declaring more range lines as potentially containing moving objects would be the safe approach with a less reduction in computational cost with respect to the original version of our approach.

An eight-pack of Tesco Everyday Value Beefburgers, one of the products cited as potentially containing horse flesh, contains 63% beef, 10% onion and unlisted percentages of wheat flour, water, beef fat, soya protein isolate, salt, onion powder, yeast, sugar, barley malt extract, garlic powder, white pepper extract, celery extract and onion extract.

News & Media

BBC

So grodes, but so potentially containing of everything else too, right?

News & Media

Vice

In 1907, New York specialists claimed ice from the Hudson River to be unsafe for consumption and potentially containing typhoid germs; the report was successfully challenged by the natural ice industry, but public opinion was turning against natural ice on safety grounds.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "potentially containing", ensure the context clearly establishes the uncertainty. Avoid using it when the presence of the element is confirmed.

Common error

Avoid using "potentially containing" when the context requires a definitive statement. For example, instead of saying "The sample is potentially containing the virus" when tests confirm its presence, state "The sample contains the virus."

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "potentially containing" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes something that has the possibility of including or holding a specific element or substance. As confirmed by Ludwig, this usage is grammatically sound and widely employed in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

20%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "potentially containing" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express the possibility of something including or holding a specific element. Ludwig confirms this usage across numerous reliable sources. It is most commonly found in scientific and news contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly establishes the uncertainty. Consider alternatives like "possibly including" or "may include" for nuanced variations in meaning. Avoid using "potentially containing" when the presence of the element is confirmed, as this undermines the phrase's purpose of expressing uncertainty.

FAQs

How can I use "potentially containing" in a sentence?

Use "potentially containing" to indicate that something might include or hold certain elements, but it is not confirmed. For example: "The package may be "potentially containing" hazardous materials, so handle it with care."

What are some alternatives to "potentially containing"?

You can use alternatives like "possibly including", "may include", or "could contain" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "potentially containing" or "definitely containing" when uncertainty exists?

When there's uncertainty, ""potentially containing"" is correct. "Definitely containing" should only be used when the presence of the element is confirmed.

What is the difference between "potentially containing" and "possibly containing"?

While both phrases convey a degree of uncertainty, ""potentially containing"" emphasizes the inherent possibility, whereas "possibly containing" simply states that it could happen. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

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Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: