showed potential

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "showed potential" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means that someone or something has the promise or ability to develop or succeed in a certain area. Example: The young athlete showed great potential in her performance at the national championship, impressing coaches and spectators alike.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fortunately, several appetizers showed potential.

The New York Times

And she gave me the portfolio she showed potential customers.

The New York Times

All of them said they believed the film showed potential breaches of food regulations.

The Guardian - Business

Several species (11 of 28) showed potential range expansions.

Biological Conservation

The developed hydrogels showed potential as promising injectable biomaterials.

Biochemical Engineering Journal

Adams, a halfback who was this season's first-round draft choice, showed potential as a runner and a pass receiver.

The New York Times - Sports

"Chris jumped in from the 49er circuit and showed potential with Team Korea," Outteridge said.

The New York Times - Sports

Guest stars aside, the nearly two-hour program showed potential for this start-up effort.

The New York Times - Arts

Gary Scott, a developer in Washington State, revised plans for his 500-acre housing community after market research reports showed potential buyers were oenophiles.

The New York Times - Travel

This beast showed potential as a hurdler with Kevin Bishop over the winter but never quite got his nose in front.

The Guardian - Sport

Sanders showed potential in a part-time role last season, but his shtick seemed overdone Sunday, his voice screechy, his persona cartoonish.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "showed potential", be specific about the area in which the potential was demonstrated. For example, "The new software showed potential for improving data analysis" is more informative than simply "The software showed potential".

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the extent of the potential demonstrated. Instead of saying "He showed unlimited potential", which can sound hyperbolic, opt for more realistic assessments such as "He "showed great potential"" or "He "showed considerable potential"".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "showed potential" functions as a verb phrase indicating the manifestation of promise or capability. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts, from sports to science.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

42%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Sports

2%

Opinion

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "showed potential" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate the manifestation of promise or capability. According to Ludwig AI, its correctness and utility are well-established. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate usage across diverse fields such as news, science, and sports. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, it is important to be specific about the area of potential and to avoid overstatements. Alternatives like "demonstrated promise" and "exhibited capability" can add nuance depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demonstrated promise

Replaces "potential" with "promise" emphasizing the indication of future success.

indicated promise

Similar to "demonstrated promise" but slightly less emphatic.

exhibited capability

Focuses on the inherent ability or capacity that was displayed.

displayed aptitude

Highlights a natural talent or skill that was evident.

suggested capability

Implies that the ability exists but wasn't fully displayed.

portrayed competence

Emphasizes the ability to perform a task effectively.

manifested talent

Implies that an innate skill or gift became apparent.

hinted at aptitude

Indicates a subtle or indirect display of talent.

revealed ability

Focuses on the uncovering or making known of a skill.

signaled competence

Suggests that competence was communicated or made known.

FAQs

How can I use "showed potential" in a sentence?

Use "showed potential" to indicate that someone or something has demonstrated promise or capability in a specific area. For instance, "The young scientist "showed potential in" gene editing research".

What are some alternatives to "showed potential"?

You can use alternatives like "demonstrated promise", "exhibited capability", or "displayed aptitude" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "showed potential" or "had potential"?

Both "showed potential" and "had potential" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Showed potential" means that the potential was demonstrated or made evident, while "had potential" simply means that the potential existed, whether or not it was displayed.

What's the difference between "showed potential" and "realized potential"?

"Showed potential" indicates that someone or something has demonstrated promise, while "realized potential" means that the potential has been fully developed or achieved. For example, a student might "showed potential as" a writer, but only later "realized potential" by publishing a successful novel.