sense of potential

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sense of potential" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an awareness or feeling of the possibilities and opportunities that exist in a situation or for a person. Example: "She has a strong sense of potential, believing that she can achieve great things in her career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Many organisms in nature do not age, are able to rejuvenate themselves, or can be considered potentially immortal (in the sense of potential indefinite continuation of some of their properties).

Huffington Post

The sense of potential failure is a buzz".

Independent

We had a much greater sense of potential doom if we went bankrupt".

The New York Times

The room buzzes with a sense of potential but already we can see there's rewriting to be done.

The Guardian

A sense of potential hovers above these two bodies of work, or in the gap between them, as yet unrealized.

The New York Times

From there we drift back to his early life in a prominent Australian family, his education at a Jesuit school, and a gradually emerging sense of potential vocation.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

They are demonstrations in the literal sense: musterings of potential voters, beauty pageants of potential contributors, inventories of the ethnic loyalties that count most in a metropolitan area of a thousand intermingled peoples.

The New York Times

My friend clearly had a generous sense of my potential.

The New York Times

What befell Herakleion may give scientists a better sense of the potential dangers to Alexandria today.

The New York Times - Science

It was there, Foster says, that he first got a sense of the potential of foraged ingredients.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Or at least banish the sense of unfulfilled potential that stained the end of Giovanni Trapattoni's reign?

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, follow "sense of potential" with a 'for' or 'in' phrase specifying what the potential refers to: a sense of potential for growth, a sense of potential in the team.

Common error

Avoid using "sense of potential" repeatedly within a short text, as it can sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms such as "feeling of possibility" or "awareness of opportunity" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sense of potential" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an awareness, feeling, or recognition of the possibilities that exist in a given situation or for a particular person, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sense of potential" is a grammatically sound and versatile noun phrase used to convey an awareness of future possibilities or inherent capabilities. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is frequently found in news, media, and scientific contexts. While common, varying your vocabulary with alternatives like "feeling of possibility" or "awareness of opportunity" can enhance your writing. Remember to specify what the potential refers to for added clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling of possibility

Emphasizes the emotional aspect of recognizing potential.

awareness of opportunity

Highlights the cognitive recognition of potential chances.

recognition of latent talent

Focuses on identifying undeveloped skills or abilities.

perception of future prospects

Stresses the anticipation of positive developments.

belief in inherent capabilities

Highlights confidence in one's or another's capacity to succeed.

understanding of untapped resources

Focuses on recognizing available but unused assets.

appreciation for hidden strengths

Emphasizes valuing less obvious positive qualities.

anticipation of forthcoming success

Highlights expectation of positive outcomes in the near future.

intuition about emerging trends

Focuses on instinctive recognition of developing patterns.

expectation of prospective growth

Highlights anticipation of future expansion or development.

FAQs

How can I use "sense of potential" in a sentence?

You can use "sense of potential" to describe an awareness or feeling of possible future outcomes or inherent capabilities. For example: "The project has a strong sense of potential for success" or "She has a keen sense of potential in young athletes".

What can I say instead of "sense of potential"?

You can use alternatives like "feeling of possibility", "awareness of opportunity", or "recognition of latent talent" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "sense of potential" or "feeling of potential"?

Both "sense of potential" and "feeling of potential" are grammatically correct. "Sense" implies a more cognitive awareness, while "feeling" suggests a more emotional or intuitive understanding. The best choice depends on the intended nuance.

What's the difference between "sense of potential" and "understanding of potential"?

"Sense of potential" implies an awareness or feeling about future possibilities, whereas "understanding of potential" suggests a deeper, more comprehensive grasp of the underlying capabilities and opportunities. Understanding typically involves analysis and insight.