develop potential

USAGE SUMMARY

"develop potential" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when talking about utilizing someone or something's potential, such as, "This program works to develop potential in underprivileged youth."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There is an utmost need to develop potential biomarkers, which might essentially improve the diagnosis and accelerate the development of new vaccines.

BioMed Research International

Meanwhile, American gymnastics is trying to find and develop potential world medalists.

The New York Times - Sports

Third, identify and develop potential successors within the firm and then benchmark them against external talent.

Harvard Business Review

"Not everyone appreciates how complex it is to identify and develop potential vaccine testing sites," Stephen Thomas said.

The New Yorker

The students will be asked to consider and help develop potential policy options.

Stanford University

Each team will work through the design-thinking process to develop potential solutions.

Stanford University

In fact, the syndrome shows up very clearly in the psychological instruments my firm routinely uses to evaluate and develop potential leaders.

The New York Times

News Corp, asked by the FT about its app project, said only: "We continue to develop potential platforms that further our digital and global growth strategy".

The Guardian

Even our crude efforts to develop potential sources of revenue, somewhat wryly overseen by Carolyn McCall, now chief executive of the Guardian Media Group, were curiously thrilling.

The Guardian - Tech

Tiniest Chemical Sensor Nanotubes, those cylindrical molecules of carbon atoms, are steadily becoming much more than just a laboratory curiosity, as researchers develop potential applications for them.

The New York Times - Science

Merging biology and data science, this study may lead to clinical trials in humans to develop potential, innovative cancer treatments.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "develop potential", consider specifying the area or skill in which potential is being developed for clarity. For example, "develop potential leadership skills".

Common error

Avoid using "develop potential" without a clear context. Ensure the sentence specifies whose or what potential is being developed. Without context, the phrase can be vague and lack impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "develop potential" primarily functions as a verb phrase, often acting as the main verb in a sentence. It describes the action of cultivating, improving, or bringing out inherent capabilities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly describes utilizing someone or something's inherent abilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

28%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "develop potential" is a commonly used verb phrase that emphasizes the action of fostering growth and improvement. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance across diverse sources, including science, news media, and academia, demonstrate its versatility. The phrase is generally considered formal or professional, making it suitable for various writing contexts, from academic papers to business reports. Alternative phrases such as "cultivate talent" or "foster growth" can provide nuanced variations. When using "develop potential", ensure that the context clearly identifies what or whose potential is being developed to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

develop potentials

Refers to cultivating various possibilities or talents.

develop capability

Focuses on building a specific skill or competence.

develop opportunity

Focuses specifically on creating or expanding chances rather than general capabilities.

develop opportunities

Centers on generating favorable circumstances.

develop contingent

Emphasizes preparing for possible future scenarios.

provide potential

Shifts the focus to offering the means for growth rather than actively cultivating it.

prepare potential

Highlights the preparatory aspect of nurturing possibilities.

exploit potential

Suggests leveraging existing possibilities, often with a connotation of maximizing benefit.

develop likelihood

Emphasizes increasing the probability of a particular outcome.

design potential

Focuses on creating the initial framework for future growth.

FAQs

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

You can use "develop potential" to describe actions that foster growth or improvement. For example, "Mentorship programs help /s/develop+potential in young professionals" or "Investing in education is crucial to /s/develop+potential in future generations".

What are some alternatives to "develop potential"?

Alternatives include "cultivate talent", "foster growth", "nurture ability", or "enhance skills" depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "develop potential" or "develop potentials"?

While "develop potential" is generally used in a broad sense to refer to the act of enhancing inherent capabilities, "develop potentials" can be used when referring to the cultivation of multiple distinct abilities or possibilities. However, "develop potential" is far more common.

What is the difference between "develop potential" and "realize potential"?

"Develop potential" refers to the process of nurturing and improving existing abilities, while "realize potential" refers to the act of fully achieving or making use of those abilities. One is a process, the other is an outcome. For instance, a coach helps athletes /s/develop+potential, so they can /s/realize+potential during competition.