lose potential

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lose potential" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing missed opportunities or the failure to achieve one's capabilities or possibilities. Example: "If we don't invest in employee training, we risk losing potential talent within our organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

What a moment to lose potential clarion calls.

The New York Times

Lose them, and lose potential cures for cancer.

The New York Times

Microsoft, he said, doesn't want to lose potential recruits to states with fairer laws.

The New York Times

That means that they will run less risk of shortages that anger consumers and lose potential customers.

The New York Times

But he, like us, proposes putting a price on carbon, and I imagine that is where we lose potential converts.

The Economist

"We cannot afford to sit back and lose potential adoptive parents when there are children who could benefit hugely from the loving home they can provide," Loughton added.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

By loudly supporting them, conservatives have lost potential allies.

The Economist

And the tech industry has moaned about losing potential sales in new markets.

The New York Times - Arts

To the convenience store, that extra time represents lost potential revenue.

The Washington Post

Farenden claims that, as a result, the fete lost potential income.

The Guardian

Republicans risk losing potential conquests if they get too aggressive and public.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the impact of a decision or action, use "lose potential" to highlight what could have been achieved but was not. For instance, "By cutting funding for research, the company will "lose potential" advancements in technology."

Common error

Avoid using "lose potential" when referring to a certain loss. "Losing potential" means you're missing out on something that could have been, not something that was guaranteed. For example, avoid saying "The company lost potential profits" if the profits were already projected; instead, use "lost projected profits".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lose potential" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "lose" is the main verb and "potential" acts as a direct object. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lose potential" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively conveys the concept of missing out on opportunities or failing to develop capabilities. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase appears across diverse contexts, ranging from news media and scientific research to business communications. Although it is considered grammatically correct, it's important to understand its specific nuance - describing a failure to capitalize on what could be, not necessarily what was already secured. To enhance your writing, avoid limiting the scope of loss. Alternatives like "squander opportunities", "forfeit possibilities", and "miss out on prospects" can be considered for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

miss out on prospects

Focuses on the failure to engage with promising possibilities.

squander opportunities

Emphasizes the wasteful aspect of not capitalizing on chances.

damage prospects

Focuses on the harm to future chances.

waste capabilities

Stresses the inefficient use of existing abilities.

forfeit possibilities

Highlights the relinquishing of potential outcomes.

undermine progress

Emphasizes the disruption of forward momentum.

diminish advantages

Highlights the reduction of favorable conditions.

impair development

Highlights the obstruction of positive advancement.

forgo benefits

Stresses the act of willingly giving up advantages.

stifle growth

Emphasizes the suppression of positive expansion.

FAQs

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

You can use "lose potential" to describe the act of missing out on opportunities or failing to develop capabilities. For example, "If the company doesn't invest in its employees, it will "lose potential" talent".

What is a good alternative to "lose potential"?

Alternatives to "lose potential" include "squander opportunities", "forfeit possibilities", or "miss out on prospects". Choose the alternative that best fits the specific context.

Is it better to say "lose potential" or "lost potential"?

The choice between "lose potential" and "lost potential" depends on the context. "Lose potential" describes a current action that will result in missing future opportunities. "Lost potential" refers to opportunities that have already been missed.

What's the difference between "lose potential" and "waste potential"?

"Lose potential" generally indicates a failure to capitalize on existing opportunities. "Waste potential" implies a more active squandering or misuse of existing capabilities.