run out of potential

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "run out of potential" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where someone or something has exhausted their possibilities or capabilities. Example: "After several failed attempts to innovate, the team felt they had run out of potential for new ideas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"If you run out of potential eyes," he said gravely, "you're dead".

The New York Times

We get good bottoms when we run out of potential sellers.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The statute of limitations had run out on potential molestation charges, so he was never arrested for sexual misconduct, though prosecutors said he molested five teenage boys while serving as the wrestling coach at Yorkville High School in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s.

Vice

Running out of steam.

The Economist

They soon ran out of virgin land.

The New Yorker

Running out of runners.

Los Angeles Times

WBA champion, fellow Londoner and former friend Haye would make financial sense, while the Ukrainian brothers are fast running out of potential challengers.

Independent

If a full merger goes ahead, the combined bank would have assets of ¥102 trillion $950 billionn), making it the world's second-largest after the planned alliance between Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank (DKB), Fuji Bank and Industrial Bank of Japan (IBJ), which will have combined assets of ¥141 trillion.In truth, Sumitomo was running out of potential partners as fast as Sakura.

The Economist

Based on their successful simulation with closely constrained selection of input parameters, they propose to use the model to produce quite realistic first-order predictions of run-out of potential slides and to outline potential hazard areas.

Geoenvironmental Disasters

Maybe the market will run out of buyers, leaving nothing but potential sellers.

Forbes

To avoid this, the CC manages the efferent signals that show the organism that it is running out of homeostatic potential.

BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "run out of potential", consider the specific context to ensure it accurately reflects the exhaustion of possibilities or capabilities. Alternatives like "exhaust all possibilities" or "reach the limit of ability" may offer more precision.

Common error

Avoid using "run out of potential" when merely facing a temporary setback. It's best suited for situations where the fundamental capacity for growth or innovation has been genuinely exhausted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "run out of potential" functions as a verb phrase indicating the exhaustion of capabilities or possibilities. Ludwig provides examples where it's used to describe a lack of future options or resources.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "run out of potential" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the exhaustion of possibilities or capabilities. Ludwig's examples and the overall analysis show it's more common in news and media and scientific contexts, indicating a neutral register. While not extremely frequent, the phrase is valuable for expressing a lack of future capacity, and as Ludwig AI highlights, ensuring correct scope and precision will contribute to the strength of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exhaust all possibilities

Focuses on the complete depletion of available options.

reach the limit of ability

Highlights reaching the maximum point of someone's capability.

exhaust one's capabilities

Specifically refers to the depletion of personal or organizational capabilities.

deplete all resources

Emphasizes the exhaustion of available resources, both tangible and intangible.

have no options left

Indicates a state where no further choices or possibilities exist.

reach a dead end

Suggests reaching a point where progress or advancement is no longer possible.

be at the end of the line

Implies reaching the final stage or limit of something.

come to a standstill

Focuses on the cessation of progress or activity due to lack of potential.

reach the breaking point

Indicates reaching a critical point where failure or collapse is imminent due to exhausted potential.

drain all the juice

This alternative is more informal and emphasizes the depletion of energy or enthusiasm.

FAQs

How can I use "run out of potential" in a sentence?

You can use "run out of potential" to describe a situation where someone or something has exhausted its possibilities. For example, "The project team felt they had "run out of potential" for new innovations".

What's the difference between "run out of potential" and "exhaust all possibilities"?

"Run out of potential" implies a depletion of inherent capacity, whereas "exhaust all possibilities" focuses on the absence of remaining options. The former is about inherent ability, the latter about available choices.

What are some alternatives to "run out of potential"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "exhaust all possibilities", "reach the limit of ability", or "deplete all resources".

Is "run out of potential" formal or informal?

"Run out of potential" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more commonly seen in news and media or scientific discussions. Consider the audience and choose accordingly.