bolster potential

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bolster potential" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing ways to enhance or support someone's or something's capabilities or possibilities. Example: "The new training program is designed to bolster potential among employees, helping them to develop their skills and advance in their careers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Likewise, structural and market-oriented reforms are necessary to bolster potential growth.

The Guardian - Business

Still, to get investors to buy those assets — and get a market flowing again — they still need some leverage to bolster potential returns.

The New York Times

Asked whether Fatihah had intentionally gone to the gun range in order to bolster potential legal action against the Neals, Laizure said that Fatihah went there of his own volition.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Loews's value has improved since February, bolstering potential recoveries for creditors, Mr. Scheler said.

The New York Times

Roberts further pushed back against the notion that eliminating the fee requirements would bolster the potential for "free riders".

The Guardian

But the New York Fed rejected the offer in early 2011 in an effort to open up the auction process and bolster the potential return for taxpayers.

The New York Times

Obama's 2012 campaign manager, Jim Messina, recently became co-chair of Priorities USA Action, a super PAC that intends to bolster a potential Clinton campaign.

Huffington Post

Relationships between children's early savings account ownership and these important life outcomes bolster the potential of CDAs as an effective intervention for narrowing developmental and achievement-related gaps that emerge early in the life course, before they become difficult and costly to reverse.

Huffington Post

The fact that Kardashian posted the images over many hours on both Twitter and Instagram ― rather than in a one-off post ― could also help bolster a potential case alleging Kardashian was intent on causing harm and was aware of his actions.

Huffington Post

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has continued to reject demands he resign as the leader of the Liberal Democrats, a position which has been bolstered by potential successor Vince Cable's insistence that "there is no leadership issue".

Independent

Docking simulation assay revealed that LTDKIGTEI has significantly lower binding energy, which bolstered its potential as epitope-based vaccine design.

Computational Biology and Chemistry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bolster potential", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being strengthened or enhanced. For example, "Investing in education can bolster the potential for economic growth."

Common error

Avoid using "bolster potential" when referring to something that needs to be created from scratch. "Bolster" implies strengthening something that already exists, not initiating something new.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bolster potential" functions as a verb phrase modifying a noun. It describes the action of strengthening or enhancing the possibilities or capabilities associated with the noun it modifies. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bolster potential" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for describing the act of strengthening or enhancing possibilities or capabilities. Ludwig confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. While not exceedingly common, its presence in reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian indicates its appropriateness across various contexts like news, science, and business. Alternatives like "enhance prospects" or "strengthen capabilities" can provide nuanced variations depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey. When using "bolster potential", ensure clarity by specifying what is being strengthened and avoid using it for situations where something entirely new is being created rather than reinforced.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enhance prospects

Replaces "potential" with "prospects", focusing on the likelihood of future success or gain.

strengthen capabilities

Substitutes "bolster" with "strengthen" and "potential" with "capabilities", emphasizing the improvement of existing abilities.

increase opportunity

Changes "potential" to "opportunity", highlighting the act of making more chances available.

develop capacity

Replaces both words focusing on cultivating and expanding inherent abilities.

maximize possibilities

Emphasizes achieving the greatest possible outcome rather than simply strengthening existing potential.

cultivate talent

Focuses on nurturing inherent talent rather than broadly enhancing potential.

fortify prospects

Offers a stronger, more resilient connotation than "bolster", specifically in relation to prospects.

boost capabilities

Uses a more informal and direct verb, "boost", while retaining the focus on abilities.

reinforce possibilities

Highlights making future outcomes or chances more solid and secure.

augment advantages

Shifts focus to enhancing existing benefits or strengths rather than overall potential.

FAQs

How can I use "bolster potential" in a sentence?

Use "bolster potential" when you want to express the idea of strengthening or enhancing the existing possibilities or capabilities of someone or something. For example: "The new policy aims to "bolster potential" for innovation in the company."

What are some alternatives to saying "bolster potential"?

You can use alternatives such as "enhance prospects", "strengthen capabilities", or "increase opportunity" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "bolster potential" or "increase potential"?

Both "bolster potential" and "increase potential" are grammatically correct. "Bolster" suggests reinforcing something that already exists, while "increase" simply means to make something larger or more numerous. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "bolster potential" and "develop potential"?

"Bolster potential" means to strengthen or support existing potential, whereas "develop potential" refers to nurturing and growing potential that may not yet be fully realized. "Develop potential" implies a more active and transformative process.