held the potential

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "held the potential" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has the capacity or possibility to develop into something significant or impactful. Example: "The new technology held the potential to revolutionize the industry and improve efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

It also held the potential for considerable payoff.

The New York Times

The dancing itself held the potential for minor injuries and there were occasional skirmishes.

The Guardian - Music

Traveling in such a bubble held the potential to reduce the frictional drag radically.

The New York Times

The show has always held the potential for adult titillation of the highest order.

The New York Times

But as political moves go, it held the potential for considerable payoff.

The New York Times

Mr. McCain, who won the presidential primaries here by emphasizing his maverick flair, had long held the potential for broad appeal among New Hampshire's independent-minded electorate.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

The cluster holds the potential answer to two vital questions.

The Guardian

The court's action holds the potential of producing the most important copyright case in decades.

The New York Times

But taken together, they hold the potential to achieve national prominence.

The New York Times

That would hold the potential for giving borrowing nations more input and control of lending programs.

The New York Times

Moreover, the project holds the potential of paving the way for advances in artificial intelligence.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "held the potential", ensure the context clearly indicates what the potential refers to and why it is significant. For instance, "The new technology held the potential to revolutionize the industry" is more informative than simply stating "The technology held the potential."

Common error

Avoid using "held the potential" without providing concrete examples or evidence. Overly broad or unsupported claims can weaken your argument. Instead, offer specific details or scenarios to illustrate the potential being discussed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held the potential" functions as a verb phrase indicating that something possessed a capacity or possibility for future development or impact. Ludwig AI's examples show its use in describing past situations where something had promising qualities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

28%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "held the potential" signifies that something had a promising capability or prospect in the past. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly news, science, and general writing. Its usage indicates a neutral to formal register. While the phrase is versatile, remember to substantiate claims of potential with concrete examples to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "possessed the capability" or "offered the promise" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had the capacity

Uses "capacity" instead of "potential", denoting the ability to contain or produce something.

possessed the capability

Replaces "held" with "possessed" and "potential" with "capability", focusing on inherent capacity.

harbored the ability

Indicates an inherent skill or competence, using "ability" instead of "potential".

embodied the capacity

Focuses on something physically containing the ability to develop, replacing "held" with "embodied".

offered the promise

Substitutes "potential" with "promise", emphasizing a positive expectation for the future.

presented the possibility

Replaces "potential" with "possibility", highlighting a chance or likelihood.

displayed the prospect

Emphasizes a future outlook or expectation, substituting "potential" with "prospect".

contained the likelihood

Focuses on the probability of something happening, replacing "potential" with "likelihood".

carried the latent possibility

Emphasizes that the possibility is not immediately visible or active, adding "latent".

showed the aptitude

Highlights a natural ability or talent, changing "potential" to "aptitude".

FAQs

How can I use "held the potential" in a sentence?

Use "held the potential" to describe something that had a possibility of developing into something significant. For example, "The research "held the potential" to cure the disease".

What are some alternatives to "held the potential"?

You can use alternatives such as "possessed the capability", "offered the promise", or "presented the possibility" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "held the potential" or "holds the potential"?

"Held the potential" is used for past situations, while "holds the potential" is used for present or ongoing situations. For example, "The experiment held the potential to change the world" (past) versus "This experiment holds the potential to change the world" (present).

What is the difference between "held the potential" and "held the opportunity"?

"Held the potential" suggests an inherent capability or possibility, while "held the opportunity" indicates the presence of favorable circumstances. Potential focuses on capability, while opportunity focuses on circumstances.