potential solution

USAGE SUMMARY

"potential solution" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are discussing a possible solution, without necessarily saying that it is the solution. For example: "Finding a potential solution to combat climate change is a major challenge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Kohn proposed a potential solution.

The New Yorker

But therein lies a potential solution, too.

The New York Times

What might be a potential solution?

The New York Times

Here, too, every potential solution has dangerous side effects.

The New York Times

But he has come up with a potential solution.

The New York Times

This growing problem now has another potential solution: fine dining.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Every potential solution ends up having a loophole.

The New York Times - Sports

Bigsby has a potential solution for that, too.

The Washington Post

And like others, Microsoft is promoting a potential solution.

The New York Times - Tech

A potential solution is acoustically resonant transmitters3,13.

Nature

How we got here — and one potential solution.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting multiple solutions, frame each as a "potential solution" to avoid implying certainty before evaluation.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "potential solution" as a guaranteed fix. Overstating its certainty can lead to disappointment and distrust if it fails.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "potential solution" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It introduces a possible remedy or approach to a problem, as highlighted in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "potential solution" is a frequently used and grammatically sound phrase employed to introduce a possible remedy to a problem. Ludwig AI affirms its validity and showcases its broad applicability across various domains, including news, science, and business. While alternatives such as "viable answer" or "promising approach" exist, "potential solution" maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse writing styles. Remember to avoid overstating the certainty of a "potential solution" until it's been thoroughly evaluated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possible remedy

Replaces "solution" with "remedy", suggesting a way to fix or alleviate a problem.

viable answer

Substitutes "solution" with "answer" and adds the adjective "viable", implying a workable or feasible resolution.

promising approach

Replaces "solution" with "approach", suggesting a method or strategy that shows potential for success.

prospective resolution

Implies that the resolution is expected or likely to occur in the future.

tentative resolution

Emphasizes the uncertainty of the solution by using "tentative", indicating a provisional or experimental fix.

theoretical fix

Highlights the hypothetical nature of the solution, suggesting it's based on theory rather than practical application.

conceivable answer

Suggests that the answer is imaginable or possible, but not necessarily probable or practical.

hypothetical answer

Similar to 'theoretical fix', this emphasizes the speculative nature of the solution.

workable alternative

Focuses on the practicality of the solution, implying it's a feasible option among others.

possible way out

Replaces solution with a more casual phrase, suggesting a means of escaping a difficult situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "potential solution" to introduce a possible answer to a problem, for example: "The engineer proposed a "potential solution" to the bridge's structural weakness".

What are some alternatives to "potential solution"?

You can use alternatives like "possible remedy", "viable answer", or "promising approach" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "potential solution" instead of "solution"?

"Potential solution" is best used when the answer is not yet confirmed or tested, while "solution" implies a proven answer.

What is the difference between "potential solution" and "possible solution"?

The phrases are largely interchangeable, but "potential solution" might suggest a slightly higher degree of considered possibility compared to "possible solution".