unrealised potential

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unrealised potential" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe abilities or talents that have not yet been fully developed or utilized. Example: "The young artist has a lot of unrealised potential, and with the right guidance, she could achieve great things."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

I'm scared of having unrealised potential.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The story of Sierra Leone's fruit industry is one of vast – but largely unrealised – potential.

The Guardian

There is an unrealised potential for new uses of cultural heritage sites.

Procedia Economics and Finance

In straightforward prose, Ishiguro offers tales of loss and longing and unrealised potential in music and in love.

The Guardian - Books

In wartime, the women depicted fulfil their unrealised potential, the men rejoice in military comradeship; the end result, however, is closer to Armageddon than Utopia.

The Guardian

van der Plas, F. et al. Continental mapping of forest ecosystem functions reveals a high but unrealised potential for forest multifunctionality.

Nature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Tot up these costs in lost earnings and unrealised human potential, and the figures become dizzying.

The Economist

The question is, will peak water be followed by peak grain or is there enough unrealised technological potential remaining to raise yields enough to offset any imminent losses from wells going dry?

The Guardian

The question is, will peak water be followed by peak grain or is there enough unrealised technological potential remaining to raise yields enough to offset any imminent losses from wells going dry? Water scarcity is not our only challenge.

The Guardian

It's clear, despite its huge growth in the UK, the tech industry is not tapping into the enormous amounts of unrealised human potential contained in the people who are leaving our armed forces.

TechCrunch

Milton says: "The UK government is committed to making the UK a secure and resilient digital nation, this programme supports that goal by recognising the unrealised human potential of our veteran community to address our cyber skills shortage".

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unrealised potential", clearly specify the area or skill to which it refers to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, "unrealised potential in renewable energy" or "unrealised potential in leadership skills".

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the "unrealised potential" without providing concrete examples or evidence to support the claim. Ground your assessment in observable qualities or past performance to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unrealised potential" functions as a noun phrase where "unrealised" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "potential". Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It describes a state of possibility that is not yet fulfilled.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

44%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unrealised potential" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression denoting untapped abilities or opportunities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly functions as a noun phrase, with 'unrealised' modifying 'potential'. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science, with some presence in Formal & Business contexts, it carries a neutral to formal tone. To enhance clarity, it's best practice to specify the area of potential. Related phrases include "untapped potential" and "unfulfilled potential". A common pitfall is overstating potential without evidence. In essence, "unrealised potential" is a versatile phrase for highlighting possibilities yet to be fully realized.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Untapped potential

Emphasizes the idea of a resource that is available but not yet used.

Unfulfilled potential

Highlights the lack of accomplishment or realization of capabilities.

Latent ability

Focuses on the hidden or dormant nature of the skill or capacity.

Dormant talent

Similar to latent ability, stressing the inactivity of the talent.

Hidden talent

Indicates a skill or ability that is not readily apparent or known.

Unexploited resource

Highlights the underutilization of available resources or capabilities.

Underdeveloped skill

Focuses on the lack of refinement or growth in a particular skill.

Uncultivated ability

Suggests a talent that has not been nurtured or developed.

Missed opportunity

Highlights the failure to capitalize on a chance for growth or achievement.

Wasted talent

Implies that a skill is being unused or squandered.

FAQs

What does "unrealised potential" mean?

The phrase "unrealised potential" refers to abilities, talents, or opportunities that exist but have not yet been fully developed or utilized. It suggests that there is more capability than what is currently being demonstrated or achieved.

What can I say instead of "unrealised potential"?

You can use alternatives like "untapped potential", "unfulfilled potential", or "latent ability" depending on the specific context.

How do I use "unrealised potential" in a sentence?

You can use "unrealised potential" to describe a person, project, or situation. For example: "The project has significant "unrealised potential" for growth" or "The student demonstrates "unrealised potential" in mathematics".

Is "unrealised potential" the same as "unrealized potential"?

"Unrealised" is the British English spelling, while "unrealized" is the American English spelling. Both phrases have the same meaning and are grammatically correct within their respective dialects. Choose the spelling that aligns with your intended audience or writing style.