it holds promise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it holds promise" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that shows potential for success or positive outcomes in the future. Example: "The new technology is still in its early stages, but it holds promise for revolutionizing the industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

It holds promise for BU since its first evaluation in the 1970s and has become practicable with cheap and easily applicable PCM [ 12].

Clinical Infectious Diseases

It may be a goof, but it holds promise.

The New York Times

It holds promise for the diagnosis of cancer development and monitoring of patient therapy.

Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry

As such, it holds promise to be generally applicable to a wider class of application domains, specifically, Machine Learning.

University of California, Berkeley

We may find it holds desolation, but here one feels that, against all odds, it holds promise.

The Guardian - Books

Quorum sensing, then, is in that stage of innovation where it holds promise but also has plenty of questions.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Only as a battery maker might it hold promise, but its batteries do not currently justify such a valuation.

Forbes

The instrument was so effective that Dr. Land believed it held promise for other avenues.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It held promise of providing an antidote of sorts to the speed-demon account of the young Mr. Trifonov.

The New York Times - Arts

Dr. Fourney said he became involved with Vertos in 2008 because he knew one of the developers of the company's procedure and believed it held promise.

The New York Times - Health

VaxGen tried to salvage some hope for the drug by pointing out the results for non-whites, suggesting that maybe it held promise for some populations [ 8].

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it holds promise" when you want to express that something has the potential to be successful or beneficial in the future, but without making a definitive claim.

Common error

Avoid using "it holds promise" when the outcome is already certain. This phrase is best suited for situations where there is potential, but also some uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it holds promise" functions as a verb phrase expressing potential or future benefit. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is grammatically correct and widely used. Examples show its application across varied contexts to suggest future advantages.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

37%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it holds promise" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote potential and future benefit. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in scientific, news, and academic contexts, the phrase conveys optimism without asserting certainty. For alternatives, consider phrases like "it shows potential" or "it has potential". When using this phrase, be sure the context warrants an expression of potential rather than a statement of guaranteed success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it shows potential

Replaces "holds promise" with "shows potential", maintaining the sense of future possibility but using different vocabulary.

it has potential

Uses the noun "potential" instead of the verb phrase "holds promise", simplifying the structure while conveying the same meaning.

it offers hope

Substitutes "holds promise" with "offers hope", emphasizing the positive expectations associated with something.

it is promising

Changes the verb phrase to an adjective, making the sentence more concise but retaining the core meaning.

it seems likely to succeed

Expresses a more direct prediction of success, rather than just potential.

it is expected to improve

Focuses on the expectation of future improvement, which is a specific type of promise.

it suggests a positive outcome

Highlights the suggestion of a favorable result, which is a key aspect of holding promise.

it bodes well

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey a sense of positive anticipation.

it points to a bright future

Emphasizes the positive future implications of something.

it gives reason for optimism

Highlights the optimistic outlook associated with something that holds promise.

FAQs

How can I use "it holds promise" in a sentence?

You can use "it holds promise" to indicate that something has potential for future success or benefit. For example, "The new technology "it holds promise" for revolutionizing the industry."

What are some alternatives to "it holds promise"?

Alternatives include "it shows potential", "it has potential", or "it is promising", depending on the context.

Is "it holds promise" a formal or informal phrase?

"It holds promise" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, making it a versatile choice for expressing potential.

How does "it holds promise" differ from "it is guaranteed to succeed"?

"It holds promise" suggests potential without certainty, while "it is guaranteed to succeed" implies a definite outcome. The former is used when the future is uncertain but positive, whereas the latter is used when success is assured.