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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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potential in

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'potential in' is not a correct phrase in written English.
You can use the phrase 'potential for' instead. Example: There is potential for great success in this endeavor.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Alaska's potential in renewables is huge.

News & Media

The Economist

Bags of potential, in the right hands.

I think there's great potential in this.

News & Media

The Guardian

Still, he saw business potential in Russia.

Mr. Greenberg sees potential in casino stocks.

News & Media

The New York Times

This shows off rice's potential in desserts.

There's so much potential in this group".

"There is huge potential in the UK.

"There is great potential in solar energy".

News & Media

The Guardian

Our potential in basketball is frightening".

Nicelli saw great potential in Krauser.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "potential for" instead of "potential in" to ensure grammatical accuracy. "Potential for" is the accepted standard in formal and informal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "in" after "potential". The correct preposition to use is "for". For example, use "the potential for growth" instead of "the potential in growth".

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "potential in" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used to indicate the presence of undeveloped capacity or possibility within a particular domain. However, Ludwig AI indicates that the grammatically correct form is "potential for".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "potential in" is commonly found across various sources, including news and media, Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically incorrect. The correct and widely accepted form is "potential for". Although "potential in" is frequently used to express the existence of undeveloped capabilities, it's best to adhere to standard English and opt for "potential for", especially in formal and professional contexts, to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness. This ensures that your writing maintains credibility and avoids potential misinterpretations.

FAQs

How to properly use the word "potential" in a sentence?

The word "potential" requires the preposition "for" to connect it to the area or outcome where the potential exists. For instance, use "potential for growth" instead of the incorrect "potential in growth".

What can I say instead of "potential in"?

The grammatically correct alternative is to use "potential for". Other options, depending on context, could include "capacity for" or "promise within".

Which is correct, "potential in" or "potential for"?

"Potential for" is the grammatically correct option. "Potential in" is generally considered incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing.

Is the phrase "potential in" ever acceptable?

While "potential in" appears in some published materials, it's generally considered non-standard. It's best to stick with "potential for" to ensure grammatical correctness.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: