that could potentially

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that could potentially" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express a possibility or likelihood. For example, "The new legislation could potentially increase taxes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The analysis also points to potential environmental controls that could potentially enable full explanation.

Geoderma

A bind that could potentially threaten the league's existence.

The New York Times

Microbial cells are a developing technology that could potentially provide renewable energy (McCormick, 2011).

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

However, there are many variables that could potentially affect the final amount of your advance check.

Harvard University

Why doesn't the University test every space that could potentially be occupied?

Princeton University

What would keep us from being a team that could potentially reach a Final Four?

Harvard University

Together, they harbour dozens of deadly pathogens that could potentially be transferred to man.

The Guardian

Because for me, I picture every single person that could potentially be affected.

The Guardian

The only other thing that could potentially wind me up is a sequel.

The Guardian

There's probably three teams in each division that could potentially win the World Series.

The New York Times

Dr. Carrington added: "This is something that could potentially work for males as well as females.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse of "that could potentially" as it can make your writing sound hesitant. Consider stronger, more direct phrasing if the context allows. For example, instead of "This might potentially solve the problem," try "This could solve the problem" or "This may solve the problem."

Common error

Avoid pairing "that could potentially" with other adverbs that also indicate possibility, such as 'maybe' or 'perhaps'. Phrases like "that could potentially maybe happen" are redundant and weaken the sentence. Choose one adverb or rephrase the sentence to avoid repetition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that could potentially" functions as a modal phrase introducing an element of possibility or contingency. It modifies a verb or clause, indicating that the action or state is not certain but is a plausible outcome. Ludwig provides numerous examples confirming its role in expressing likelihood.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

35%

Academia

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that could potentially" is a versatile modal phrase used to express possibility and contingency across various contexts. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, scientific, and academic writing. While widely accepted, writers should avoid redundancy by pairing it with similar adverbs and, as best practice, use it to soften claims. Consider alternatives like "that might possibly" or "that may perhaps" for nuanced expression. The frequency and source quality indicate its reliability and widespread acceptance in formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that could possibly

Simply replaces 'potentially' with 'possibly', creating a slightly less formal tone.

that may potentially

Replaces 'could' with 'may', indicating a slightly lower degree of certainty.

that might possibly

Replaces 'could potentially' with 'might possibly', emphasizing the uncertainty but in a more emphatic way.

that may perhaps

Substitutes 'could potentially' with 'may perhaps', offering a more formal and tentative tone.

that could conceivably

Replaces 'potentially' with 'conceivably', suggesting something is within the realm of possibility.

that could realistically

Uses 'realistically' instead of 'potentially', indicating a practical possibility.

that has the potential to

Changes the structure to focus on the 'potential' as a quality or attribute.

that is capable of

Indicates the capacity or ability for something to happen.

that is liable to

Suggests a tendency or predisposition for something to occur.

that is subject to

Implies that something is under the influence of a particular outcome.

FAQs

How do I use "that could potentially" in a sentence?

Use "that could potentially" to introduce a possible outcome or consequence. For example, "The new policy "that could potentially" improve efficiency is under review."

What can I say instead of "that could potentially"?

You can use alternatives like "that might possibly", "that may perhaps", or "that could conceivably" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "that could potentially" or "that will potentially"?

"That could potentially" implies a possibility, while "that will potentially" suggests a higher degree of likelihood but still isn't certain. The best choice depends on the level of certainty you want to convey.

What's the difference between "that could potentially" and "that would potentially"?

"That could potentially" indicates a general possibility. "That would potentially" often implies a hypothetical situation or a condition that needs to be met. For example, "If we invest more, "that would potentially" lead to higher returns."