The difference between Actual and Potential
When used as nouns, actual means something actually received, whereas potential means currently unrealized ability (with the most common adposition being to).
When used as adjectives, actual means relating to a person's acts or deeds, whereas potential means existing in possibility, not in actuality.
check bellow for the other definitions of Actual and Potential
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Actual as an adjective (chiefly, theology):
Relating to a person's acts or deeds; active, practical.
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Actual as an adjective:
Existing in reality, not just potentially; really acted or acting; occurring in fact.
Examples:
"the actual cost of goods; the actual case under discussion"
"The actual government expenses dramatically exceed the budget."
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Actual as an adjective (now, rare):
In action at the time being; now existing; current.
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Actual as an adjective:
Used as intensifier to emphasise a following noun; exact, very.
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Actual as a noun (finance):
An actual, real one; notably: Something actually received; real receipts, as distinct from estimated ones. A radio callsign modifier that specifies the commanding officer of the unit or asset denoted by the remainder of the callsign and not the officer's assistant or other designee.
Examples:
"Bravo Six Actual, this is Charlie One. Come in, over.'' (The radio operator is requesting to speak to the commander of the unit under the call sign "Bravo Six.")"
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Potential as a noun:
Currently unrealized ability (with the most common adposition being to)
Examples:
"Even from a young age it was clear that she had the potential to become a great musician."
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Potential as a noun (physics):
The gravitational potential: the radial (irrotational, static) component of a gravitational field, also known as the Newtonian potential or the gravitoelectric field.
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Potential as a noun (physics):
The work (energy) required to move a reference particle from a reference location to a specified location in the presence of a force field, for example to bring a unit positive electric charge from an infinite distance to a specified point against an electric field.
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Potential as a noun (grammar):
A verbal construction or form stating something is possible or probable.
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Potential as an adjective:
Existing in possibility, not in actuality.
Examples:
"synonyms: noumenaspirituavirtual"
"ant actuaphenomenareal"
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Potential as an adjective (archaic):
Being potent; endowed with energy adequate to a result
Examples:
"synonyms: efficacious influential"
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Potential as an adjective (physics):
A potential field is an irrotational (static) field.
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Potential as an adjective (physics):
A potential flow is an irrotational flow.
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Potential as an adjective (grammar):
Referring to a verbal construction of form stating something is possible or probable.