we could potentially

USAGE SUMMARY

"we potentially" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you wanting to express the possibility of something happening or how something could turn out. For example: "The project was a success, but we could potentially run into problems in the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"With this, we could potentially grow to new communities.

The New York Times

We could potentially do the same with guns.

Independent

This would be the first device that we could potentially monitor from a distance.

Stanford University

With four, we could potentially suppress a continent and the diseases they transmit.

University of California, Berkeley

"We could potentially clean up a lot of adverse pregnancy outcomes by getting the diet right".

The Guardian

"We could potentially never know" with certainty, another defense official said.

The Washington Post

Then combination therapy came; now, we have a program to see if we could potentially cure this.

Cornell University

Moving forward, Rachel wrote up some emails that we could potentially use to contact previous clients of Vida Verde.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Ms. Gillam said that "we want to know about every possible site that we could potentially build a hotel on".

The New York Times

"We could potentially get some real quality guys, but I would not anticipate anything like that," Thorn said.

The New York Times - Sports

"If it comes to military conflict, we could potentially see the situation dissolve into even further combat," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we could potentially" to express a possibility or a future action that is contingent on certain factors. It's suitable when discussing plans, hypothetical scenarios, or potential outcomes.

Common error

Avoid stacking too many modal verbs together. While "we could potentially" is acceptable, adding more (e.g., "we might could potentially") can make your writing sound awkward and redundant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we could potentially" functions as a modal phrase expressing possibility or likelihood. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct. Examples show its use in various contexts to suggest possible future actions or outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

34%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we could potentially" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to express possibility or likelihood. According to Ludwig AI, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. It frequently appears in news articles, academic papers, and scientific publications, with neutral register. When using this phrase, consider alternatives such as "we might possibly" or "we may be able to" for nuanced meanings. Be mindful of avoiding redundancy by stacking too many modal verbs. Given its widespread use across authoritative sources, employing "we could potentially" is a reliable way to introduce hypothetical scenarios or discuss potential outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we might possibly

Emphasizes a slightly lower degree of certainty compared to "we could potentially".

we may be able to

Focuses more on the ability to do something, rather than the potential for it to happen.

we can perhaps

Introduces a hint of uncertainty or suggestion.

we are able to possibly

Slightly more formal and emphasizes capability alongside possibility.

it is possible for us to

A more formal and detached way of expressing the potential.

we have the potential to

Highlights the inherent capability or opportunity.

we are in a position to

Suggests readiness or preparedness to undertake something.

we would be able to

Focuses on a conditional ability, depending on certain circumstances.

we stand a chance of

Indicates a possibility, often in the face of challenges or competition.

we are likely to

Suggests a higher probability or expectation.

FAQs

How to use "we could potentially" in a sentence?

"We could potentially" is used to express a possibility or capability for a future action. For example, "If we invest in new technology, "we could potentially" increase our production capacity."

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

You can use alternatives like "we might possibly", "we may be able to", or "it is possible for us to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "we could potentially" or "we potentially could"?

"We could potentially" is the more standard and grammatically correct phrasing. While "we potentially could" might be understood, it is less common and can sound awkward.

What is the difference between "we could potentially" and "we will"?

"We could potentially" indicates a possibility, while "we will" indicates a firm commitment or certainty. The former expresses a conditional outcome, whereas the latter expresses a definite plan.