Cool MateArguably vs Potentially
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Arguably
Top 2,000 (common)C1adverb
Potentially
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
| Arguably | Potentially | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɑːɡjuəbli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɑːrɡjuəbli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/pəˈtenʃəli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/pəˈtenʃəli/"]/ |
| Meaning | It can be said that something is true. | It means something might happen or could be true. |
| Example | He is arguably the best actor of his generation. | a potentially dangerous situation |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | arguably the best, arguably true, arguably effective | potentially dangerous, potentially useful, potentially harmful, potentially beneficial, potentially effective |
| Antonyms | undeniably, certainly, definitely, incontrovertibly | definitely, certainly |
| Common mistakes | Using 'arguably' too strongly without supporting evidence., Confusing it with 'arguably' as a noun., Forgetting to follow it with a specific claim or statement. | Using 'potentially' in place of 'actually', Confusing 'potentially' with 'probably', Overusing 'potentially' in informal speech |
| Usage notes | Use 'arguably' when making a statement that can be supported with evidence. It is often used in discussions or debates but may be too strong for casual conversation. | Use 'potentially' when discussing possibilities or probabilities. It's suitable for both spoken and written English but may feel too formal in casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Arguably vs Potentially
What's the difference between Arguably and Potentially?
Arguably: It can be said that something is true. Potentially: It means something might happen or could be true.
Which is more advanced: Arguably and Potentially?
Arguably is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Arguably and Potentially the same CEFR level?
Arguably: C1, Potentially: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Arguably and Potentially?
Arguably: adverb, Potentially: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
Arguably: He is arguably the best actor of his generation. Potentially: a potentially dangerous situation
Can I use Arguably and Potentially interchangeably?
Not always. Arguably and Potentially are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.