a serious prospect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a serious prospect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation or opportunity that has significant potential or importance. Example: "The company is considering a serious prospect for expansion into international markets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

What attracted you to fencing and made it a serious prospect for you?

The New York Times

A lovely finish from a player who looks a serious prospect.

The Guardian - Sport

ED ALMONTE, another minor leaguer whom the Mets received, is not a serious prospect.

The New York Times - Sports

"Jozy has been on their radar as a serious prospect for months.

The New York Times - Sports

That's a serious prospect – otherwise Japan wouldn't need new security partners.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We are a serious prospect for government after going down to our second worst defeat in history in 2010".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

The Liberator is a more serious prospect.

The Guardian - Opinion

Because even the most successful vendor will sell no more than 90 jets a year, every serious prospect is a key account.

Harvard Business Review

That's a far more serious prospect than going over the fiscal cliff.

The New York Times

Still, for the first time, a conservative pundit has touted an Abbott restoration as a more-or-less serious prospect.

The Guardian - Opinion

that the full consequence of a default, or even the serious prospect of a default by the United States are impossible to predict and awesome to contemplate.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a serious prospect" to convey that something or someone has a high likelihood of success or significance. It's suitable when discussing potential outcomes, candidates, or opportunities.

Common error

Avoid using "a serious prospect" in overly casual or informal situations. It can sound overly formal. Instead, opt for simpler phrases like "good chance" or "promising idea".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a serious prospect" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. As shown by Ludwig, it identifies someone or something with significant potential or importance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a serious prospect" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe something or someone with significant potential. As evidenced by Ludwig, it appears most often in news and media, sport, and academic contexts, carrying a neutral to formal tone. When considering alternative phrasing, options such as "a promising candidate" or "a real possibility" can provide similar meaning with slightly altered emphasis. While generally appropriate for professional and academic communication, it's important to consider whether its level of formality is appropriate for the intended audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a promising candidate

Focuses on the potential of a person or thing.

a viable option

Emphasizes the feasibility and practicality of something.

a real possibility

Highlights the genuine chance of something occurring.

a definite contender

Emphasizes a greater degree of certainty compared to "strong contender".

a noteworthy possibility

Highlights a possibility that deserves attention.

a strong contender

Suggests a competitive element and a good chance of success.

a genuine contender

Underscores the authenticity and competitiveness.

a likely eventuality

Indicates a high probability based on current circumstances.

a substantial threat

Highlights a potential danger or challenge.

a significant challenge

Focuses on the difficulty and importance of a task.

FAQs

How can I use "a serious prospect" in a sentence?

Use "a serious prospect" to describe something with significant potential or a high likelihood of success. For example, "She is "a serious prospect" for the job" or "The merger represents "a serious prospect" for growth".

What are some alternatives to "a serious prospect"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "a promising candidate", "a viable option", or "a real possibility". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "serious prospect" or "promising prospect"?

"Serious prospect" emphasizes the weight or importance of the prospect, while "promising prospect" focuses more on its potential for future success. The better option depends on which aspect you want to highlight.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "a serious prospect"?

Avoid using "a serious prospect" in very informal settings or when discussing trivial matters. It's generally more appropriate for formal or professional contexts where you want to convey a sense of importance or potential significance.