To capitalize on something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "To capitalize on something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to taking advantage of an opportunity or situation for personal or professional gain. Example: "The company plans to capitalize on the growing demand for eco-friendly products by launching a new line of sustainable goods."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The behaviour OneClass aims to capitalize on is something that's already going on in most schools as it is: Students continually share notes and exam prep with one another.

TechCrunch

Lyft Line is an attempt to capitalize on that, offering something with capacity for up to six passengers designed to pair riders going in the same direction.

TechCrunch

Facebook, Twitter, and startups like Gravity are hoping to capitalize on it — though something tells me that Levchin wants to bring a slice of the interest graph to Google as well.

TechCrunch

It's not a stand". But she does intend to capitalize on her differences, something it took her a while to come to terms with: "All those (male) magicians, they're all apples.

Los Angeles Times

Whether it is an organized effort to improve a baby's communication skills or a marketing technique to captivate anxious parents and capitalize on something instinctively known by parents for generations remains a matter of debate.

The New York Times - Health

You don't get to capitalize on the memory of something you don't care enough about to understand.

Huffington Post

"Frasier" does, in fact, capitalize on something that those 1930's and 40's movies reveled in: the special connection between a rather hesitant, girlishly soft, unbelievably innocent man and a more down-to-earth, sharp-tongued, worldly-wise woman.

The New York Times - Arts

The other thing is, and it's a double-edged sword because I live to work, I love it, is that all my life, no matter what happened, I wanted to capitalize on it, turn it into something to move me forward, make my career better.

The New York Times - Magazine

The apparent problem is how to capitalize on the Kramer character yet create something new.

The New York Times - Arts

Major companies are lining up to capitalize on Americans' growing desire to do something about climate change.

The New York Times

While stock-trading apps are nothing new on the open-source operating system, Robinhood's new offering is an opportunity to capitalize on those users who likely want something that combines online stock without the fees with a simple and easy-to-understand design.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to capitalize on something" to emphasize turning a situation or resource into an advantage. It's especially effective in business and strategic contexts.

Common error

While "to capitalize on something" is valid, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "take advantage of" or "make the most of" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to capitalize on something" functions as a verbal phrase indicating purpose or intention. It connects an action with the goal of benefiting from an opportunity or resource, as supported by the example sentences provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to capitalize on something" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression that signifies taking advantage of an opportunity or resource. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for written English and effectively conveys the intention to leverage something for gain. While it's versatile, it's best suited for neutral to formal contexts, as overusing it in casual conversations might sound overly formal. Alternatives like "take advantage of" or "make the most of" may be more appropriate in informal settings. Top sources include The New York Times, TechCrunch, Huffington Post, Forbes and Los Angeles Times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

To leverage something

Replaces "capitalize" with "leverage", suggesting a more strategic and calculated approach.

To take advantage of something

Uses a more direct and common expression instead of "capitalize on".

To make the most of something

Focuses on maximizing the benefits of a situation or resource.

To use something to one's advantage

Highlights the benefit gained by the user of something.

To exploit something

Implies using something for one's own benefit, often with a negative connotation.

To build on something

Implies using something as a foundation for further development or success.

To seize an opportunity

Emphasizes the act of grabbing an opportunity quickly and decisively.

To cash in on something

Suggests profiting from a trend or opportunity, often quickly and opportunistically.

To harness something

Suggests controlling and directing something for a specific purpose.

To profit from something

Directly indicates gaining financial benefits from a situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "to capitalize on something" to describe leveraging an asset or situation to achieve a goal. For example, "The company plans "to capitalize on" the growing demand for sustainable products."

What are some alternatives to "to capitalize on something"?

Alternatives include "to take advantage of", "to leverage", or "to make the most of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "to capitalize on something"?

While grammatically correct, "to capitalize on something" might sound overly formal in informal contexts. Consider using simpler phrases in casual conversations.

What is the difference between "to capitalize on something" and "to exploit something"?

"To capitalize on something" generally has a neutral or positive connotation, suggesting a smart use of resources. "To exploit something", on the other hand, often implies using something unfairly or selfishly.