Highly capable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Highly capable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has a high level of ability or competence in a particular area. Example: "The new software is highly capable of handling complex data analysis tasks efficiently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Highly capable organisations have clearly defined leadership criteria that they communicate and apply consistently.

The Guardian

He is obviously a highly capable man.

The New York Times

The lieutenant governor, Richard Ravitch, is highly capable.

The New York Times

The wages are indeed abominable, paid to highly capable people.

The Guardian - Money

MOI has proven itself highly capable of maintaining internal security.

The Guardian

Many of them are no doubt highly capable people.

The Economist

"These are highly capable people in the field," Mr. Henderson said.

The New York Times

He said Iraqi forces have become "highly capable" after working alongside American troops.

The Guardian

Its dancers are highly capable, although not more so than scores of others in the field.

The Guardian

An audacious figure whose legacy split public opinion, Geng is nevertheless widely regarded as "highly capable".

The Guardian

"It's very evident that this is a highly professional, highly capable independent board," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "highly capable" to describe individuals, teams, or systems that consistently demonstrate a superior level of performance and competence. For example, "The engineering team is highly capable of solving complex technical challenges".

Common error

While "highly capable" is a strong descriptor, avoid using it excessively in casual or informal settings. Simpler alternatives like "skilled" or "competent" may be more appropriate for everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly capable" primarily functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to denote a significant level of ability or competence. Ludwig examples show its usage in describing people, systems, and organizations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Encyclopedias

11%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "highly capable" is a grammatically correct and very common adjective phrase used to describe individuals, systems, or organizations possessing a significant level of ability and competence. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage is primarily found in news and formal contexts. While it effectively conveys proficiency, consider using synonyms such as "extremely competent" or "exceptionally skilled" to add nuance or avoid repetition. Be mindful of overuse in informal settings, where simpler alternatives might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely competent

Emphasizes a high degree of skill and efficiency.

highly proficient

Indicates a mastery of a skill or subject.

exceptionally skilled

Highlights the superior level of expertise.

remarkably proficient

Stresses the noticeable level of expertise.

extraordinarily able

Emphasizes an unusual or exceptional level of competence.

particularly talented

Focuses on innate aptitude or natural ability.

unusually competent

Highlights that the level of competence is beyond the average.

notably adept

Emphasizes skill in a specific area or task.

decidedly skilled

Indicates a clear and definite level of skill.

very skilled

A general term for possessing substantial skill.

FAQs

How can I use "highly capable" in a sentence?

Use "highly capable" to describe someone or something with a significant degree of skill or ability. For example: "She is a "highly capable leader"." or "The new software is "highly capable of" complex data analysis.

What are some alternatives to "highly capable"?

Alternatives include "extremely competent", "exceptionally skilled", or "remarkably proficient". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "highly capable and skilled"?

While not strictly redundant, it can be more concise to simply use "highly capable" as it already implies a significant degree of skill. However, using both can add emphasis.

What is the difference between "capable" and "highly capable"?

"Capable" means having the ability to do something, while "highly capable" indicates a much greater level of skill and proficiency. "Highly capable" suggests a superior level of performance and expertise compared to just being "capable".