show promise

USAGE SUMMARY

"show promise" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is generally used to refer to potential or qualities that someone or something has that suggests they might do well in the future, or they might continue to make progress. For example, "This rookie basketball player is showing a lot of promise and could be a rising star in the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One superstructure does show promise, however.

Columbia University

Cairo's Fashion Nights seems to show promise.

The New York Times

When carefully implemented, though, they show promise.

The New York Times - Magazine

Teaching and health care also show promise.

The New York Times

Dynamic interventions show promise and require further study.

Harvard University

There are treatments that show promise for managing this condition.

Harvard University

ISMs show promise as a tool for hydrogeochemical investigations.

Journal of Hydrology

More-invasive therapies show promise for treating Parkinson's.

MIT Technology Review

But two new gene therapy approaches show promise.

MIT Technology Review

Results show promise in predicting formulistic effects using fundamental calculations.

Combustion and Flame

Dried, vacuum-packed meats show promise as landing gear.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "show promise", ensure that the context clearly defines the area in which the promise is being demonstrated. For instance, specify if a new drug "shows promise" in clinical trials or if a student "shows promise" in mathematics.

Common error

Avoid using "show promise" to describe something without concrete evidence or examples to support the claim. Overusing it can diminish its impact and credibility. Instead, provide specific details or preliminary results that justify the assertion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "show promise" functions as a verbal phrase indicating that someone or something has the potential to be successful or effective. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard and usable phrase in written English. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in diverse contexts, such as new treatments or student's skills.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "show promise" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey potential or likelihood of future success. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. Its prevalence spans across scientific, news, and academic domains, indicating its widespread applicability. While alternatives like "hold potential" or "look promising" exist, "show promise" remains a versatile choice for expressing optimism about future outcomes. It is important to provide concrete evidence when using the phrase to maintain credibility and avoid overstating potential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

look promising

Directly conveys the impression of a positive outlook.

have potential

Focuses on the existence of undeveloped capacity.

hold potential

Emphasizes the inherent capability or possibility within something.

demonstrate potential

Shows evidence of future possibilities or success.

offer hope

Highlights the positive expectations associated with something.

bode well

Suggests a favorable prediction or indication of future success.

portend success

Suggests that something foreshadows or indicates a positive outcome.

signal potential

Emphasizes the indication of future success or capability.

indicate capability

Highlights demonstrated competence or ability.

suggest possibility

Indicates a chance or likelihood of something positive occurring.

FAQs

How can I use "show promise" in a sentence?

You can use "show promise" to indicate that something has the potential to be successful or effective. For example, "The new drug "shows promise" in treating the disease" or "The student "shows promise" in mathematics".

What are some alternatives to "show promise"?

Alternatives to "show promise" include "hold potential", "look promising", or "have potential". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "show promise" or "demonstrate promise"?

"Show promise" is generally used to indicate potential, while "demonstrate promise" implies that some level of potential has already been displayed. The choice depends on whether you're referring to future possibilities or existing indicators of success.

What does it mean when something is said to "show promise"?

When something is said to "show promise", it means that it exhibits qualities or characteristics that suggest it is likely to be successful or effective in the future. This is often based on preliminary results or observations.