potential to excel

USAGE SUMMARY

"potential to excel" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to talk about a person's potential to do well or achieve success. For example, you could say: "The new recruit has the potential to excel at her position and be a great asset to the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Wines made on a smaller scale by vignerons have far greater potential to excel.

The New York Times - Food

Thus fluorination reactions have the potential to excel in situations that require high pressures and flame speeds.

Combustion and Flame

It stands as a great example of how games have the potential to excel as a storytelling medium.

The Guardian - Tech

Paula Dunn, British Athletics' Paralympic head coach, felt Alphonsi had potential to excel in Rio and a strong case for classification as a paralympic athlete.

The Guardian - Sport

Those who are accepted exhibit a high level of understanding and proficiency in their field, a broad humanistic background, and the potential to excel in the film arts.

The New Yorker

There is no minimum GPA required for admission to the MPS in Management, however we expect applicants to demonstrate their potential to excel in our rigorous academic environment.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

You would be more likely to excel.

Huffington Post

Yet this cannot simply be put down – as the Britannica once claimed – to a basic lack of potential among Gypsies to excel in education.

The Guardian - Opinion

Already, his fight against Álvarez, who lost his first professional bout to go with 42 victories and one draw, has shown the potential for Mayweather to excel as a promoter.

The New York Times - Sports

It holds the promise to unleash the latent potential of the individual to excel at more than one vocation, and to explore new avenues for creative expression.

Independent

The IT industry is an exciting space to work in, and there is massive potential for the digital generation to excel.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's future prospects, use "potential to excel" to convey their inherent capacity to achieve high levels of success and performance.

Common error

Avoid using "potential to excel" to describe inanimate objects or abstract concepts. This phrase is best suited for describing the capabilities of individuals or groups.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "potential to excel" functions as a noun phrase followed by an infinitive verb, describing the inherent capability or possibility of someone or something achieving high performance or success. Examples from Ludwig show it used in various contexts, describing individuals, organizations, and even technological processes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "potential to excel" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe the capacity for high achievement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly in news, business, and academic settings. While versatile, it is most effective when used to describe the abilities of individuals or groups. Related phrases like "aptitude to succeed" and "capacity to shine" offer subtle variations in meaning. To ensure correct usage, avoid applying it to inanimate objects or abstract concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aptitude to succeed

Focuses on the natural inclination and ability to achieve success.

ability to shine

Highlights the capability to perform exceptionally and attract attention.

promise to prosper

Emphasizes the anticipated positive outcome and future success.

capacity to shine

Emphasizes the ability to stand out and perform brilliantly.

probability to succeed

Refers to the statistical chance of achieving a favorable outcome.

talent to flourish

Highlights the inherent skill and potential for growth and prosperity.

chance to prosper

Emphasizes the opportunity and possibility of achieving prosperity.

scope to thrive

Suggests there is sufficient opportunity for significant advancement and growth.

prospects to thrive

Indicates favorable opportunities and potential for thriving and doing well.

likelihood to thrive

Focuses on the probability of thriving and achieving significant success.

FAQs

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

You can use "potential to excel" to describe someone's capacity for high achievement. For example, "The new employee has the "potential to excel" in this role".

What are some alternatives to "potential to excel"?

Alternatives to "potential to excel" include phrases like "aptitude to succeed", "capacity to shine", or "talent to flourish", each emphasizing slightly different aspects of future success.

Is it correct to say "potential of excelling" instead of "potential to excel"?

While "potential of excelling" isn't grammatically incorrect, ""potential to excel"" is more common and idiomatic, particularly in formal writing.

What's the difference between "potential to excel" and "opportunity to excel"?

"Potential to excel" refers to an inherent ability or capacity, while "opportunity to excel" refers to a favorable circumstance that allows someone to demonstrate their abilities.