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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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that is potential

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that is potential" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to describe something that has the capacity to develop or become something in the future, but it lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "The project has many aspects that are potential for growth and innovation."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

A minority carrier capture zone that is potential dependent is observed around the metal particles.

Among those gaits, race-walking gait has a promised gait that is potential for achieving highly stable, and highly energetic efficient legged walking.

This claim also calls to mind the passage in the Third Meditation in which Descartes says that in God there is absolutely nothing that is potential (AT 7 47, CSM 2 32).

Science

SEP

Beyond rank and file members of Congress, there is another major force in the Democratic party for whom a grand bargain is potentially deadly, and that is potential presidential candidates.

News & Media

Huffington Post

If, that is, potential punters know the Indy's still there.

News & Media

The Guardian

Of Princeton's graduate students - that is, potential professors - only 22 of 1,600 are black.

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Companies that are potential takeover targets.

"There are a lot of people in this league that are potential All-Stars," Jefferson said.

Also, some insurers that were potential customers plan to create their own Web sites, becoming competitors.

News & Media

The New York Times

"I would like to hear from private companies that are potential partners".

News & Media

The New York Times

This group identifies and resolves housing issues that are potential barriers to patients being discharged.

News & Media

The Guardian
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the phrase "that is potential", opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "that has potential" or "that shows promise" to clearly convey the intended meaning of possibility or capability.

Common error

Don't use "that is potential" as it is grammatically incorrect. Ensure your sentence structure correctly reflects the intended meaning of something possessing potential. For example, rephrase as "that has potential".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that is potential" attempts to function as a descriptor, but is grammatically flawed. Ludwig AI indicates that it does not follow standard grammar rules. It seems to be trying to attribute a quality of possibility or future capability to something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Academia

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "that is potential" appears in various sources, including news and scientific publications, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI analysis suggests opting for alternatives like "that has potential" or "that shows promise" to ensure clarity and correctness. The phrase's presence across different contexts indicates an attempt to express possibility or future capability, but its flawed structure undermines effective communication. Therefore, prioritize grammatically sound alternatives in both formal and informal writing.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically sound way to say "that is potential"?

Instead of "that is potential", use phrases like "that has potential" or "that shows promise" to ensure grammatical correctness.

How can I use the concept of "potential" correctly in a sentence?

Frame your sentence to show something "has" potential or "offers" potential. For example: "This project "has potential" for significant growth".

What are some synonyms for "potential" when describing future possibilities?

Consider using words like "promising", "possible", or "latent" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "that is potential" ever correct in English?

According to Ludwig, the phrase "that is potential" is generally not considered correct in standard written English. It's better to use "that has potential" or other similar alternatives.

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Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: