showing potential

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "showing potential" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something or someone that has the ability or likelihood to develop or achieve something in the future. Example: The new employee is still learning, but she is already showing potential for leadership. - In this sentence, "showing potential" suggests that the new employee has the ability to become a leader in the future, even though she is still in the early stages of her development. Overall, "showing potential" is a useful phrase to use when discussing someone or something's potential for growth, improvement, or success. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as describing a new business venture, a young athlete, or a talented musician.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The organisers tried to shepherd more people showing potential symptoms into facilities.

The Guardian

Similar images showing potential suspects had appeared in newspapers in New York.

The New York Times

It's one way of showing potential employers how serious and motivated you are.

The Guardian

A map showing potential biomass stock estimates presented in grams of carbon per square meter.

The Washington Post

(A) Venn diagram showing potential targets of miR-564 from 4 different target prediction databases.

Nature

The maps are marked with 14 orange lines showing potential sites for the crossing.

The Washington Post

How do you go about showing potential employers you have the aptitude they're looking for?

The Guardian

"These failures do the industry harm by showing potential investors very clearly what can happen," Professor Kat said.

The New York Times

He resorted to showing potential clients the labels on the computers they already owned that said: "Made in China".

The Guardian

Moreover, the in-process WED-dressing was assessed, showing potential for future applications.

Procedia CIRP

Synthetic herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) attract arthropod natural enemies showing potential for enhancing biological control.

Biological Control

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "showing potential" with specific achievements or qualities to provide concrete evidence of the potential being described. For example, "The research is showing potential due to its innovative methodology."

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the potential without providing supporting details or tangible indicators. Ensure that claims of potential are grounded in observable facts or early results.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "showing potential" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, often modifying a noun to indicate the presence of promising qualities or capabilities that suggest future success or development. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

34%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "showing potential" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to describe something or someone exhibiting promising qualities that suggest future success. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across a variety of contexts, notably in news, science, and academia. While generally neutral to professional, it’s crucial to provide evidence to support claims of potential to avoid exaggeration. Alternative phrases include "displaying promise", "exhibiting capability", and "demonstrating aptitude", each subtly altering the emphasis while retaining the core meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

displaying promise

Focuses on the act of exhibiting promise, emphasizing the visible aspect of potential.

exhibiting capability

Highlights the demonstration of existing abilities that suggest future success.

demonstrating aptitude

Emphasizes a natural talent or skill that indicates a capacity for learning and growth.

portraying likelihood

Focuses on the act of showing the occurrence or development in the future.

suggesting possibility

Indicates a hint or implication of future success, without a strong confirmation.

indicating prospect

Highlights a favorable outlook or chance for advancement.

hinting at promise

Similar to suggesting possibility, but with a more subtle indication of future potential.

revealing talent

Highlights the uncovering of natural abilities or skills.

promising ability

Focuses on having the ability to fulfill some intention, command, or function.

developing skills

Focuses on skills and abilities being improved or growing.

FAQs

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

Use "showing potential" to describe someone or something that is in an early stage but has the qualities to succeed in the future. For example, "This new technology is "showing potential" for revolutionizing the industry".

What are some alternatives to "showing potential"?

You can use alternatives such as "displaying promise", "exhibiting capability", or "demonstrating aptitude" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "showing potential" or "has potential"?

"Showing potential" emphasizes the active demonstration of promise, while "has potential" is a more general statement about possessing future capabilities. The best choice depends on whether you want to highlight the active display of that promise.

What's the difference between "showing potential" and "reaching potential"?

"Showing potential" refers to the early stages where someone or something is demonstrating promise, while "reaching potential" implies the full realization of those initial promises. The former is about future possibilities, and the latter is about achieved success.