unlocking potential

USAGE SUMMARY

"unlocking potential" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of discovering or realizing one's abilities or talents and utilizing them to their fullest potential. Example: The new mentoring program aims to unlock the potential of young students by providing them with guidance and support to achieve their goals.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

She is vice-chair for the all-party parliamentary engineering group and editor of unlocking potential: perspectives on women in science, engineering & technology (2011).

The Guardian

Focusing on education as a mere path to the highest possible pay cheque rather than a way of exploring talent, aptitude and unlocking potential certainly does not help.

The Guardian - Opinion

One reason is that women have been undervalued in the past, making gains in literacy more powerful in unlocking potential than comparable gains for men.

The Economist

Ultimately, one device could have the ability to stimulate any surface region of the cortex, unlocking potential in the human brain and body in an unprecedented way.

TechCrunch

The phablet-sized Redmi Note 3 got the metallic treatment when it was unveiled in December, but, interestingly, while the Note 3 became Xiaomi's first device with a fingerprint scanner — unlocking potential for payments and other services — the Redmi 3 doesn't have a scanner.

TechCrunch

The discovery of epigenes has shown that genetics may be a malleable system that can respond to human behavior by locking down or unlocking potential written into the structure of our DNA.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Richard Wright, executive director of the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, says the centre has unlocked potential.

The Guardian - Business

This process allowed him to unlock potential gridlocks and complicated situations and move from reactive to proactive leadership.

Forbes

Around the world, thousands of social entrepreneurs are identifying inherently unjust equilibriums in society and using innovation to unlock potential and alleviate the suffering.

Huffington Post

Sometimes by unlocking individual potential through education and opportunity.

The Guardian - Opinion

How important is open data in unlocking the potential of big data?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unlocking potential", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific abilities or possibilities are being enabled. For example, "unlocking the potential of renewable energy".

Common error

Avoid using "unlocking potential" in vague or overly broad statements without specifying the area of potential being discussed. Be specific about what is being unlocked to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unlocking potential" functions as a verbal noun phrase, where "unlocking" acts as a gerund modifying the noun "potential". It describes the action of enabling or releasing inherent capabilities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and diverse usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unlocking potential" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase signifying the enabling or realization of hidden abilities. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and diverse usage. It is commonly found in news, business, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, it's crucial to specify what capabilities are being unlocked to provide clarity and avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives such as "discovering potential" and "realizing potential" offer similar but nuanced meanings, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discovering potential

Focuses on the initial act of finding abilities.

realizing potential

Emphasizes making potential a reality.

maximizing potential

Highlights the act of increasing the extent of potential.

developing potential

Stresses gradual growth and improvement of abilities.

fostering potential

Implies nurturing and encouraging the growth of potential.

unleashing potential

Suggests a forceful release of hidden capabilities.

tapping into potential

Indicates accessing and utilizing existing potential.

cultivating potential

Focuses on careful and deliberate nurturing of abilities.

drawing out potential

Highlights extracting potential that is not readily apparent.

accessing potential

Emphasizes the ability to reach and utilize potential.

FAQs

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

You can use "unlocking potential" to describe the process of enabling or realizing abilities. For example, "Education plays a key role in unlocking the potential of future generations".

What are some alternatives to "unlocking potential"?

Some alternatives include "discovering potential", "realizing potential", or "maximizing potential" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "unlocking potential" or "unleashing potential"?

Both "unlocking potential" and "unleashing potential" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Unlocking" suggests a more controlled and deliberate process, while "unleashing" implies a more forceful and uninhibited release.

What's the difference between "unlocking potential" and "developing potential"?

"Unlocking potential" implies that the potential already exists and is simply being revealed or made accessible. "Developing potential", on the other hand, suggests that the potential is being actively cultivated and improved over time.