potential ability

USAGE SUMMARY

"potential ability" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in contexts in which you are talking about someone's potential to do something. For example, "John has a lot of potential ability as an artist."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It was a fair deal based on potential ability and current ability," Schuerholz said.

The New York Times - Sports

The most significant power, however, is the potential ability to control the team's front office.

The New Yorker

Now it has announced that it intends to select potential pupils on their potential ability to row.

The Guardian - Opinion

Besides online pranksters, his reservations included the potential ability of governments and security agencies to snoop on people's online votes.

The Guardian - Tech

Iran has denied striking a deal with the US to reduce Tehran's potential ability to manufacture nuclear weapons, following earlier reports that an agreement had been reached.

The Guardian

The most compelling rationale for conflict with Iran — its potential ability to obtain a nuclear weapon — was removed by the agreement.

The New Yorker

Power is capacity, potential, ability, or wherewithal" (1972, 276).

SEP

This suggests a potential ability for photocatalytic decomposition of organic contaminants under irradiation with visible light.

Nanoscale Research Letters

These data suggest that AuNPs with specific size have the potential ability to trigger chondrocyte growth.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Moreover, the RNase A@C-dots also show potential ability in inhibiting and killing cancer cells.

Nanoscale Research Letters

What unites them all, says Khosla, is the potential ability to produce ethanol relatively cheaply.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "potential ability" when you want to emphasize both the possibility and the inherent capacity for something. For stronger impact, consider alternatives like "untapped skill" or "latent capacity" when appropriate.

Common error

Be mindful that "ability" already implies potential. To avoid redundancy, consider using just "ability" or a more specific phrase that highlights the nature of the potential, like "untapped potential" or "future skill".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "potential ability" functions as a noun phrase, where "potential" modifies "ability". It describes a capability that is not yet fully realized. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "potential ability" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to emphasize the undeveloped capacity or skill that someone possesses. While slightly redundant, Ludwig confirms its acceptability and common usage across diverse contexts, particularly in science and news media. Although technically correct, alternatives like "untapped skill" or "latent capacity" can offer a more concise and impactful way to express similar concepts, while also avoiding redundancy. When using "potential ability", consider the context and whether the emphasis on the "potential" aspect is truly necessary. If not, opting for simply "ability" may be more effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

latent capacity

Replaces "ability" with "capacity", emphasizing the inherent capability that is not yet fully developed.

possible capability

Substitutes "potential" with "possible", highlighting the chance of achieving a specific skill or outcome.

untapped skill

Emphasizes the unused or undeveloped nature of the "ability", focusing on skill.

future aptitude

Replaces "potential" with "future", indicating that the "aptitude" will be visible later in the future.

prospective talent

Highlights the promise of "talent" that may develop in the future.

developing skill

Focuses on the growth aspect of the "skill", which isn't completely refined yet.

hidden talent

Underscores the concealed nature of the "talent", suggesting it is not yet obvious.

inherent capacity

Highlights the natural or innate quality of the "capacity".

underlying potential

Emphasizes that the "potential" exists beneath the surface.

dormant ability

Stresses the inactive state of the "ability", implying it can be awakened or developed.

FAQs

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

You can use "potential ability" to describe someone's capacity to develop a skill. For instance, "The coach saw his "potential ability" and invested time in his training."

What's a more concise way to express "potential ability"?

Consider using just "ability" if the context already implies potential, or phrases like "latent capacity" or "untapped skill" to emphasize specific aspects of the potential.

When is it appropriate to use "potential ability" instead of simply "ability"?

Use "potential ability" when you want to emphasize the undeveloped or future aspect of someone's skill. For example, when assessing a novice, highlighting their ""potential ability"" can be more encouraging than just stating their current skill level.

Is "potential ability" redundant?

While technically, "ability" implies potential, "potential ability" is commonly used for emphasis. However, to avoid redundancy, you might opt for alternatives like "inherent capacity" or "future aptitude" for a more nuanced expression.