On the issue of functional potential of the linguistic unit (by the example of semantic and syntaсtic valencies)

The given paper considers the issue concerning the definition of the term 'functional potential' based on the example of semantic and syntactic valencies. Functional potential is interpreted as a complex of potencies of the linguistic unit, which are feasible for the given unit and program its behavior in speech. Semantic and syntactic valencies are included by the author in the field of valency potential as an element of functional potential.