undeveloped talents

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undeveloped talents" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to skills or abilities that have not yet been fully cultivated or realized. Example: "Many students possess undeveloped talents that could flourish with the right guidance and support."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The writer agrees with what Winifred Williams said in "An Undeveloped Talent" (Oct . 21 , 1950

The New Yorker

The New Yorker, November 11, 1950 P. 151 The writer agrees with what Winifred Williams said in "An Undeveloped Talent" (Oct . 21 , 1950

The New Yorker

By E. J. Kahn The New Yorker, November 11 , 1950P. 151 The writer agrees with what Winifred Williams said in "An Undeveloped Talent" (Oct . 21 , 1950

The New Yorker

The X Factor really does have the x-factor; it's got the most un-groomed, undeveloped talent of all its competitors -- and watching the contestants' performances, and their families' reactions, makes it the most emotionally-gripping show on TV today.

HuffPost

Bringing our young girls into the future STEM workforce is not just about gender equality — it's also about building a strong U.S. economy and tapping into a potentially huge source of undeveloped, world-class talent.

TechCrunch

Despite every parent's belief that their child is gifted, true talent does not get distributed evenly at birth. a If a child's talent goes unnoticed -- or his family lacks the financial means to nurture it -- that talent may remain undeveloped (a huge amount of talent was prematurely taken from us during the early years of the AIDS crisis).

Huffington Post

When my brother's son was a young boy, he had a talent for drawing, but without the skills and insights that education and training can bring, his talent was undeveloped.

Huffington Post

Ms. Evancho has an unusual talent, but an undeveloped one.

The New York Times - Arts

As with much else, literary talent often remains undeveloped unless markets reward it.

The New York Times

Togo is small and undeveloped.

The Economist

This activity includes undeveloped lands.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing someone's potential, use "undeveloped talents" to highlight the need for training, experience, or opportunity to fully realize their capabilities. This phrase is particularly effective in educational or professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "undeveloped talents" when referring to skills that are demonstrably lacking or absent. The phrase implies the presence of a latent ability that simply requires nurturing, not the need for fundamental skill acquisition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undeveloped talents" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "undeveloped" modifies the noun "talents". It describes skills or abilities that exist but are not yet fully realized or refined. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

24%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Science & Research

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "undeveloped talents" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that refers to potential skills or abilities that have not yet been fully cultivated. Ludwig AI indicates that it is fine. While it appears relatively infrequently, it is found in reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Economist. The phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly in discussions about education and career development, and can be replaced with alternatives like "untapped potential" or "latent abilities" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Untapped potential

Focuses on the unrealized possibilities inherent in someone or something.

Latent abilities

Emphasizes the hidden nature of the skills or capabilities.

Dormant skills

Highlights the inactivity or lack of development of the skills.

Unrealized capabilities

Stresses the fact that the capabilities have not yet been brought to fruition.

Uncultivated skills

Emphasizes the need for nurturing and development.

Innate gifts awaiting development

Highlights natural talents that need nurturing.

Rough talents

Indicates that the talents are present but need refinement.

Unrefined skills

Suggests that the skills are lacking polish and finesse.

Nascent talents

Implies that the talents are just beginning to emerge.

Potential yet to be unlocked

Focuses on the idea that the potential is there but needs to be accessed.

FAQs

How can I describe someone with "undeveloped talents"?

You might say they possess "untapped potential", "latent abilities", or "dormant skills", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "undeveloped talents" or "untapped potential"?

Both phrases are valid, but "undeveloped talents" specifically refers to skills needing cultivation, while "untapped potential" is broader, encompassing a wider range of unrealized possibilities.

What does it mean to have "undeveloped talents"?

It means you have inherent abilities or skills that have not yet been fully realized or refined through practice, training, or experience. It suggests the presence of potential waiting to be unlocked.

Can "undeveloped talents" be a negative thing?

Not necessarily. While it implies a current lack of proficiency, it also suggests the possibility of future growth and success with the right support and opportunities.