Capitalize on

USAGE SUMMARY

"capitalize on" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to take advantage or profit from something. Example: The company decided to capitalize on the growing demand for environmentally-friendly products by releasing a new line of eco-friendly products.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Capitalize on low rates.

Forbes

Capitalize on your workforce's connectivity.

Huffington Post

Capitalize on opportunities Create streams of income.

Huffington Post

Can the Giants fully capitalize on this?

The New York Times

The Torches capitalize on unsuspecting fans.

The New York Times

"We just need to capitalize on it.

The New York Times

We're going to capitalize on that.

The New York Times

"We want to capitalize on that attention".

The New York Times - Arts

We capitalize on their mistakes".

The New York Times

Now's the time to capitalize on it.

The New York Times

"We need to capitalize on that".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "capitalize on", ensure the context clearly shows the advantage gained. For example, instead of saying "We should capitalize on this", specify what benefit you expect: "We should capitalize on this new technology to improve our efficiency."

Common error

Avoid using "capitalize on" when the action taken is unethical or harmful. Opt for words like "exploit" or "take advantage of" to accurately reflect the negative connotation if the context requires it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capitalize on" functions as a verb phrase. It indicates an action of taking advantage of a situation or resource to gain benefit. Ludwig shows its wide usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "capitalize on" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the act of strategically taking advantage of an opportunity or resource for gain. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. With examples predominantly found in "News & Media" and "Formal & Business" contexts, "capitalize on" leans toward a professional register. When writing, it's crucial to ensure the context clearly illustrates the advantage being sought and to avoid overuse in situations where the actions could be interpreted as unethical. Alternatives like "leverage" or "harness" may be more appropriate in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take advantage of

Emphasizes benefiting from something, similar to "capitalize on", but can sometimes imply a more opportunistic or even exploitative approach.

make the most of

Focuses on maximizing the benefits or positive aspects of something.

leverage

Focuses on using something to gain an advantage or achieve a desired outcome. It's more business-oriented than "capitalize on".

seize on

Highlights the act of quickly and decisively taking advantage of an opportunity.

profit from

Directly implies gaining financial or other tangible benefits from something.

harness

Implies controlling and directing something, like energy or resources, for a specific purpose.

exploit

Suggests using something, often a resource or situation, for one's own benefit, sometimes with negative connotations.

build on

Indicates using something as a foundation or basis for further development or progress.

cash in on

Informal term emphasizing making money from something, particularly a trend or popular item.

make hay while the sun shines

An idiomatic expression that advises to take advantage of favorable conditions while they last.

FAQs

How can I use "capitalize on" in a sentence?

Use "capitalize on" to indicate taking advantage of an opportunity. For example, "The company decided to "capitalize on" the increasing demand for electric vehicles."

What's a more formal way to say "capitalize on"?

In more formal settings, you could use alternatives like "leverage" or "harness" to convey a similar meaning while maintaining a professional tone.

Is it always appropriate to use "capitalize on"?

While generally acceptable, consider the ethical implications. If the action involves exploiting someone, a more appropriate term might be "exploit" to accurately reflect the negative nature of the action.

What's the difference between "capitalize on" and "take advantage of"?

"Take advantage of" and ""capitalize on"" are similar, but "capitalize on" often suggests a more strategic and planned approach, whereas "take advantage of" can sometimes imply a more opportunistic or even unfair action.