their potential vs their potentials

Both 'their potential' and 'their potentials' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Their potential' is the correct phrase when referring to the combined abilities or possibilities of a group or individual. On the other hand, 'their potentials' is used when talking about the individual abilities or possibilities of each member of a group.

Last updated: March 22, 2024

their potential

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

Use 'their potential' when referring to the combined abilities or possibilities of a group or individual.

Examples:

The team has great potential to succeed.
She has the potential to be a great leader.
The students are reaching their full potential.

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The scale of funding must be appropriate to their potential contribution.
Because what we did with these girls is to understand their potential.
It is of vital importance to enable all young women and men to make the best of their potential.
In certain sectors Slovenia has sacrificed short-term results in favour of others which will only reveal their potential after a number of years.
However, we must simplify them and prevent them from becoming a disproportionate bureaucratic burden in relation to their potential advantages.
These risks relate mainly to oil price developments and their potential to lead to second-round effects stemming from wage and price-setting behaviour.
Considering their potential, a very important place will be dedicated to biofuels in the report.
We must give young people the skills they need to realise their potential.
The children's self-image can suffer serious damage and their potential can be squandered.
They are to be used on a purely voluntary basis, taking account of their potential added value and in accordance with national legislation and practice.
Europe will need a flexible policy which is responsive to the priorities and needs of Member States and enables migrants to take full advantage of their potential.
The second article presents the main features and concepts of integrated quarterly euro area accounts statistics, with a particular focus on their potential use by the ECB.
The main categories of currently eligible tier two assets were reviewed with a view to their potential inclusion in the single list.
Local development and employment initiatives, and their potential for innovation, play a significant role in this connection.
Moreover, the EU has encouraged North Korea to normalise relations with South Korea as well with US and Japan, emphasising their potential for enhancing regional stability.
We have long known about the emissions released during the burning of wood and their potential for harming health.
At present penetration rates for intelligent car systems and applications remain very low in relation to their potential.
By allowing greater flexibility to use all bio components, Europe could benefit from their potential contribution to meeting the new EU targets on biofuels.
They are to be used on a purely voluntary basis, taking account of their potential added value and in accordance with national legislation and practice.
This provision creates uncertainty among undertakings, particularly since they are not always in a position to judge who their potential competitors are.

Alternatives:

the potential of the team
his potential as a musician
realizing their potential

their potentials

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in English.

Use 'their potentials' when talking about the individual abilities or possibilities of each member of a group.