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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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make potential

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

Sentence The phrase "make potential" is not correct English usage.
To make something have potential is more correct. You could use this phrase in written English when you are referring to making something have the potential to occur or be successful. For example, "We will make this project have potential for success."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Other issues of unexpected liabilities also make potential deal makers nervous.

News & Media

The New York Times

She devotes an acronym, SCRATCH, to the mistakes that make potential customers scratch their heads.

News & Media

The Economist

Over the coming year a spike in inflation, expected slower growth and Brexit uncertainty may make potential employers more cautious.

Go to as many events as possible, join online forums on LinkedIn and talk to people in the industry to make potential contacts.

News & Media

The Guardian

Immune Response is close to raising more money, these executives said, but Pfizer's no-confidence vote could make potential investors balk.

News & Media

The New York Times

But Boeing has offered to make potential spillover contracts more transparent by filing an annual report on them to the Europeans for approval.

News & Media

The Economist

Korane said Kenya was working to mobilise international support to improve security and build up social infrastructure such as houses, schools and hospitals, in order to make potential areas of return more viable.

News & Media

The Guardian

For instance, the cells can be bonded onto structural fabrics of buildings – which would make potential sites of the dome of the O2 arena in London or the Bird's Nest National Stadium in Beijing.

Mr. Eagleburger acknowledged that was true in part, but he said that much of the $40 million in administrative costs had gone to important projects, including efforts to make potential claimants aware of the program.

News & Media

The New York Times
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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

That uncertainty has made potential investors nervous.

News & Media

The New York Times

Homosexuality still encounters bigotry that makes potential study subjects wary.

News & Media

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To emphasize facilitating future opportunities, consider "create opportunities" or "make way for potential".

Common error

The phrase "make potential" is often used incorrectly as a direct verb-object construction. Remember to rephrase to "make [something] have potential" or select a stronger verb such as "develop", "realize", or "unlock" for grammatical correctness.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make potential" functions primarily as a verb phrase, though it's often grammatically incorrect as flagged by Ludwig. It aims to express the act of creating or enabling opportunities. The examples often show its use in contexts where one is trying to facilitate or improve future possibilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

30%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "make potential" is frequently encountered, Ludwig AI indicates that it's not grammatically correct. It appears across various contexts, including news, science, and business. For better clarity and grammatical accuracy, consider alternatives like "realize potential", "develop potential", or "make [something] have potential". Despite its common usage, striving for grammatical precision will enhance the credibility and clarity of your writing, especially in professional and academic settings. Remember to favor stronger verbs that directly convey the intended meaning.

FAQs

Is "make potential" grammatically correct?

No, "make potential" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "realize potential", "develop potential", or "make [something] have potential".

What are some alternatives to "make potential"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "realize potential", "develop potential", "unlock potential", or "create opportunities".

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

Instead of saying "make potential", you can say "realize the potential", "develop the potential", or "make something have potential". For example, "We need to realize the potential of this project."

What's the difference between "make potential" and "realize potential"?

"Make potential" is grammatically incorrect. "Realize potential" is the act of bringing something's inherent capabilities to fruition or making them a reality. It emphasizes the achievement or development of something that already exists.

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Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: