have a potential vs have the potential

Both 'have a potential' and 'have the potential' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Have the potential' is more commonly used and refers to possessing the capacity or ability to develop or achieve something. On the other hand, 'have a potential' is less common and is used when referring to a general or unspecified potential.

Last updated: March 12, 2024 • 1629 views

This phrase is correct but less common in English. It is used when referring to a general or unspecified potential.

"have a potential"

This phrase is used when talking about a potential that is not specific or defined. It is less common than 'have the potential.'

Examples:

The project seems to have a potential for success.
She has a potential for leadership.
The new technology has a potential for revolutionizing the industry.

Show examples from the web [+]

Dec 9, 2014 ... Electronic cigarettes have a potential for huge public health benefit. Peter Hajek. Correspondence: Peter Hajek p.hajek@qmul.ac.uk.
BMC Med. 2014 Dec 9;12:225. doi: 10.1186/s12916-014-0225-z. Electronic cigarettes have a potential for huge public health benefit. Hajek P(1).
Cardiac side population cells have a potential to migrate and differentiate into cardiomyocytes in vitro and in vivo. Tomomi Oyama,1 Toshio Nagai,1 Hiroshi ...
Heterozygous mutations in BBS1, BBS2 and BBS6 have a potential epistatic effect on Bardet–Biedl patients with two mutations at a second BBS locus.

Alternatives:

possess potential
show potential
demonstrate potential
exhibit potential
display potential

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It refers to possessing the capacity or ability to develop or achieve something.

"have the potential"

This phrase is used when talking about a specific potential that is recognized or defined. It is more common than 'have a potential.'

Examples:

The student has the potential to become a great scientist.
This new product has the potential to change the market.
The team has the potential to win the championship.

Show examples from the web [+]

to have the potential to do sth [person] → tener aptitudes or capacidad para hacer algo the meeting has the potential to be a watershed → la reunión puede ...
“We all have the potential to fall in love a thousand times in our lifetime. It's easy. The first girl I ever loved was someone I knew in sixth grade. Her name was ...
We all have the potential to teach AND learn with any process. So, I strongly suggest that while you are teaching "them" and putting in effort to "open people's ...
Sandy Alderson believes the Mets have the potential to improve by 10 wins · D.J. Short. Feb 2, 2015, 9:12 PM EST. 40 Comments. Sandy Alderson AP AP.

Alternatives:

possess the potential
show the potential
demonstrate the potential
exhibit the potential
display the potential

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have a potential vs have the potential

"have a potential"

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