potential

USAGE SUMMARY

The word potential is correct and usable in written English.
You can use potential as an adjective meaning possible or having the possibility of being realized. For example: This project has great potential.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This incident constitutes a potential breach of operational security and potentially the commission of a criminal offence under the commonwealth Crimes Act," an officer from the defence security authority wrote.

The Guardian

"It is a huge waste of the next generation's skills, potential and talent and it comes at a huge cost to young black and minority-ethnic people, their families, taxpayers and the economy".

The Guardian

"It is important that sport understands and is sensitive to the potential impacts of the menstrual cycle for female athletes.

The Guardian - Sport

We are currently in the process of interviewing potential board members, and our goal is to add an additional independent member this year in order to regain our 4-star rating by 2013.

The Guardian

City authorities are conducting a criminal inquiry and the US department of justice is looking into potential civil rights charges.

The Guardian

Unlikely to be as pleasant on the eye, but no less explosive, that particular showdown is scheduled for Saturday, with the fixture generator having unwittingly maximised excitement among Iceland's football followers by pitting the Premier League's two potential title winners against each other on the final day of the season.

The Guardian - Sport

It also raised his stock as a potential 2016 presidential candidate.

The Guardian

Take the National Children's Bureau finding that the gap in potential between children from middle- and low-income families is already evident among babies of 22 months.

The Guardian - Opinion

We are now consulting regarding potential legal action and hoping against hope that the 12 libraries being thrown over to the community with the threat of volunteer-or-lose-it, will survive long enough for the future council members to realise their costly error and resume running this vital social and educational service.

The Guardian - Books

That was at Thirsk and there is no denying that others in this field have stronger form claims but few have her potential for improvement on just her second start and her pedigree is a pleasing blend of speed and more speed.

The Guardian - Sport

And as for caring about the decency (BNP supporters aside) and potential of individual voters, or genuinely acting to preserve and encourage their humanity.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "potential", ensure the context clearly indicates what the potential is for. For example, "potential benefits" or "potential risks".

Common error

Avoid using "potential" to exaggerate possibilities. Ground your claims in realistic assessments and observable indicators.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "potential" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a capability or possibility that is not yet realized. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples of "potential" used adjectivally.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "potential" functions primarily as an adjective, signifying a capability or possibility not yet realized. It's widely used across diverse contexts, including news, business, and science, maintaining a neutral register. As Ludwig AI confirms, "potential" is grammatically correct and highly prevalent in English writing. To enhance clarity, it's crucial to specify what the "potential" refers to, and avoid exaggeration. Semantically similar alternatives include "possible", "latent", and "prospective".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possible

Replaces "potential" by focusing on the possibility aspect.

latent

Emphasizes the hidden or undeveloped nature of "potential".

prospective

Highlights the future-oriented aspect of "potential".

likely

Indicates a high probability, similar to one aspect of "potential".

virtual

Suggests existence in effect or essence, though not formally recognized or admitted.

dormant

Emphasizes inactivity, implying that the "potential" is currently not in use but could be.

untapped

Focuses on the aspect of "potential" that has not yet been exploited or used.

developing

Highlights the growth or progress aspect of "potential".

future

Refers to something that will exist or happen in the future, linking to the possibility inherent in "potential".

hidden

Implies the "potential" is not immediately obvious or apparent.

FAQs

How can I use "potential" in a sentence?

Use "potential" to describe something that is capable of developing into something, such as "This project has great "potential" for growth."

What are some synonyms for "potential"?

Alternatives for "potential" include "possible", "latent", and "prospective", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "potentiality" instead of "potential"?

"Potentiality" is a valid noun, but "potential" is more commonly used as an adjective. They have slightly different nuances; "potentiality" refers to the state of being potential, while "potential" describes the capacity to develop.

What's the difference between "potential" and "possibility"?

"Potential" refers to the inherent capacity for development, while "possibility" refers to something that might happen or be true. "Potential" implies an existing capability, whereas "possibility" simply suggests something is not impossible.