potentially, vs potentially

Both "potentially," and "potentially " are correct, but they are used in different contexts. The first one with a comma is used when the word is part of a sentence and needs a pause or emphasis. The second one without a comma is used when the word stands alone or at the end of a sentence.

Last updated: April 01, 2024 • 630 views

potentially,

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when the word "potentially" is part of a sentence and requires a pause or emphasis.

Use "potentially," with a comma when the word is part of a sentence and needs a pause or emphasis. The comma indicates a slight pause in speech.

Examples:

The project is, potentially, a game-changer.
She could, potentially, be the next CEO.

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So, potentially, Pirosmani can help us recover some of that stolen weaponry.
Or, potentially, this blows up into a scandal worse than arms for hostages.
This specialisation, however, does not mean that Gdynia Shipyard is not in competition, at least potentially, with other yards in the EU.
French agents are therefore competing, at least potentially, with other agents for the export of French-language books that may be established in other French-speaking countries of the EU (Belgium and Luxembourg).
That prohibition covers any national measure which is capable of hindering, directly or indirectly, actually or potentially, intra-Community trade in goods.
An innovative technology that can be implemented in the area of Val di Cornia and that would develop, potentially, an alternative economy.
It has led to significant national variation, which continues to undermine the smooth running of the internal market and, potentially, patient safety.
A trial, which potentially, could have very far-reaching implications has just started in New York City.
In the case of China we have very many major trading arrangements and, potentially, their accession to the WTO.
It reaches the length of 5 metres, and, potentially, it may be even bigger.
Then, potentially, it could be all over, leaving me with the worst of outcomes.
So that's an exciting laboratory experiment on how to give back, potentially, some skin sensation.
Furthermore, because of its geographical position, CMR is, at least potentially, in competition with ship repair yards in Italy and Spain.
So potentially, we have a bomb aboard an airplane on a suicide mission with an unknown target.
Cosmetic injectables enhance not only the haggard female face, but also, potentially, our revenue stream.
What we do know is, potentially, the brain is reacting in a hyperactive, hyper-plastic way, and creating individuals that are like this.
The articles added by this amendment are also clearly applicable, potentially, to Annex III waste intended for recovery and reference should, therefore, also be made to them.
As the consultation stated, this national variation could threaten both the smooth running of the internal market and, potentially, patient safety.
Ultimately, space probes will bring us knowledge far beyond the Sun and into the distant parts of our galaxy, where billions of other suns burn and, potentially, a few blue planets await future human explorers.
All trading rules of the Member States which are capable of hindering, directly or indirectly, actually or potentially, intra-Community trade are to be considered to be measures having an equivalent effect to quantitative restrictions.

Alternatives:

possibly,
perhaps,
maybe,
conceivably,
feasibly,

potentially

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when the word "potentially" stands alone or at the end of a sentence.

Use "potentially " without a comma when the word stands alone or at the end of a sentence. The lack of a comma indicates the end of a thought or sentence.