“Potential” Comes From The Latin Word “Potentia” Meaning “Power”
Fascinating, isn’t it, that the modern word “potential” derives from the Latin word “potentia” meaning “power”? Yet, it makes sense that when we speak of the potential of someone or something, we are really speaking of power and / or possibility.
Interchanging the words is an interesting exercise. How does it feel to say, “I have the power to (fill in the blank)” as compared to “I have the potential to (fill in the blank)”?
The word “power” conveys more certainty and, most likely, means a greater likelihood of something’s happening. Try using the words synonymously and see what occurs.