0
Anonymous Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

Potential

Is "Potential dropout students" grammatically correct? Thank you.
  

Top answer

Anonymous Is "Potential dropout students" grammatically correct? Thank you. Well, personally I think “potential” is a word with positive connotation while “dropout” is not.

— Goodman

  • Anonymous Is "Potential dropout students" grammatically correct?
  • Thank you.
  • Well, personally I think “potential” is a word with positive connotation while “dropout” is not.
  • You can say " he has the potential to excel in mechancial engineering".
  • "Protential to dropout" does not make sense.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

7 Answers
0
AnonymousIs "Potential dropout students" grammatically correct? Thank you.
Well, personally I think “potential” is a word with positive connotation while “dropout” is not. You can say " he has the potential to excel in mechancial engineering". "Protential to dropout" does not make sense. So to combine these words in the same context is rough-on-the edges to me
0
0
I don't like it too much either, but here they are, including at a .gov site:


  • http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oGklE1bh1
    • 0
    0
    Thank you both. The 'positive connotation' concept slightly confuses me. The Cambrdige dictionary says 'potential' means 'possible when the necessary conditions exist' and one of the examples is 'The accident is a grim reminder of the potential dangers involved in North Sea oil production.' Here 'potential dangers' doesn't seem to convey a positive connotation. Please explain. Thanks agai
    0
    0
    I think the confusion might come from potential when used as a noun, which has a meaning of "the ability to do or be good things." Like when you say "This movie has a great cast and is based on a great book. I hope it lives up to its potential."

    However, when you refer to potential [nouns], there is no sense of good or bad, just as your dictionary said. It just means that it's possible, t
    0
    0
    Yes, probable/possible dropouts, I certainly works, but it's just the moral aspect that bothers me, allowing to think in advance of a negative outcome. But I guess this is part of life
    0
    0
    Be of good cheer, Marius. By considering the possibility of negative outcomes in advance, you can prepare for them if the do occur, and try to prevent them if you can recognize what is it that creates the potential in the first place. Anyone who has ever created a contingency plan, whether for a large work project or simply a trip to the beach when there is a possibility of a storm has considered
    0
    0
    Grammar GeekI think the confusion might come from potential when used as a noun, which has a meaning of "the ability to do or be good things." Like when you say "This movie has a great cast and is based on a great book. I hope it lives up to its potential."

    However, when you refer to potential [nouns], there is no sense of good or bad, just as your dictionary sai
    0

    Related Questions