potential to become

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "potential to become" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a hypothetical possibility of achieving something in the future. For example, "This position has the potential to become a permanent role with full benefits if the employee does a good job".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Primark has got potential to become a global fashion brand.

The Guardian - Business

But it has the potential to become very big indeed.

The Guardian - Tech

"They really have a lot of potential to become influential".

The New York Times

Erskine has the potential to become a cardboard cut-out self-loathing bully.

The Guardian - Books

At least those had the potential to become spaces for community groups, poor immigrants or bohemians.

The Guardian

"Emily has the potential to become one of the great actresses," Mr. Frankel said.

The New York Times

Myst III has the potential to become one of the top-selling PC games of 2001.

The New York Times

Anything I've ever seen or experienced has the potential to become a tic.

The Guardian

They echoed other analysts' comments on ITV's potential to become an acquisition target again.

The Guardian - Business

Edwards counters, "Jane had the potential to become a Protestant martyr.

The New Yorker

But Mr. Lemke's house did not seem to have the potential to become an architectural masterpiece.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "potential to become" to highlight a possibility or capability, but be sure to provide context or supporting information to strengthen your claim. For example, instead of just saying 'This startup has the potential to become successful', elaborate on why by adding '...due to its innovative technology and experienced team'.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the "potential to become" something without providing credible evidence or justification. Overusing the phrase can weaken your argument if it lacks substance. For instance, saying 'This app has the potential to become the next big thing' without detailing its unique features or market advantages can be unconvincing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "potential to become" functions as a modifier, specifically indicating a future possibility or capacity. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes something's inherent ability to develop or transform. It's often used to highlight promising qualities or opportunities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "potential to become" is a versatile tool for expressing future possibilities and assessing current prospects. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability. As evidenced by numerous examples, its frequent use in news, science, and business contexts underscores its relevance across various domains. When using this phrase, it's essential to provide supporting context to strengthen claims and avoid overstatement. Alternatives such as "capacity to evolve into" or "prospect of developing into" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Overall, "potential to become" remains a valuable asset for writers seeking to articulate possibilities with precision and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capability of becoming

A more formal synonym, emphasizing inherent capacity.

capacity to evolve into

Focuses on the inherent ability to change over time.

prospect of developing into

Emphasizes the likelihood of growth and transformation.

chance of developing into

Emphasizes the element of possibility and growth.

promise of evolving into

Indicates a strong indication or expectation of future development.

likelihood of turning into

Highlights the probability of a future state change.

aptitude for growing into

Suggests a natural talent or suitability for future development.

opportunity to grow into

Highlights a favorable circumstance for development.

ability to transform into

Stresses the power and means to undergo a significant change.

risk of turning into

Implies a possibility, frequently negative, for change to occur.

FAQs

How can I use "potential to become" in a sentence?

The phrase "potential to become" is used to express the possibility of something evolving or transforming into something else. For example, 'This intern has the "potential to become" a valuable asset to the company'.

What are some alternatives to "potential to become"?

Alternatives to "potential to become" include "capacity to evolve into", "prospect of developing into", or "likelihood of turning into", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "potential to become" or "potential of becoming"?

"Potential to become" is generally preferred and more common. "Potential of becoming" is grammatically correct, but sounds less natural and is used less frequently. Using "potential to become" maintains a cleaner, more concise structure.

What is the difference between "potential to become" and "promise of evolving into"?

"Potential to become" indicates a possibility that something may transform. "Promise of evolving into" suggests a higher likelihood or expectation of that transformation occurring, often based on current positive indicators.