acting in the capacity of

USAGE SUMMARY

'acting in the capacity of' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone taking on a role or responsibility. For example, "He was appointed to the position of secretary, acting in the capacity of an administrative assistant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Whether Mr. Murtazin's actions were as a blogger, or whether he is acting in the capacity of a consultant in order to provide information to his clients is an open question.

TechCrunch

After the article appeared in the magazine at the weekend, an official investigation was launched at the request of Interior Minister Bartlomiej Sienkiewicz, acting in the capacity of a victim.

BBC

When the President is acting in the capacity of the Head of the Armed Forces, he salutes the national flag with a military salute.

Wikipedia

We hypothesized that if ATF7IP is acting in the capacity of a transcriptional repressor directly on Xi linked genes, we would see an increase in the number of cells with Xi-reactivation when both Atf7ip and Xist are inhibited compared to the deletion of only one of these factors.

Epigenetics and Chromatin

It's fine, even healthy, to have friends in the group, but when you are acting in the capacity of drum major, hold them to the same standards as everyone else.

WikiHow

It may sound cynical to refer to a person as a system, but the safety drivers in these cars are very much acting in the capacity of an all-purpose failsafe.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The Republican National Committee and the California State Republican Committee were also named because Mr. Flanigan and Mr. Peschong had been acting in the official capacity of those organizations, she said in her suit.

The New York Times

There is litigation over trustees not acting in the best fiduciary capacity, so selection of the correct person or institution are essential.

Forbes

mgsin θ = Force acting in the direction of deck surface.

International Journal of Coal Science & Technology

After firmly declaring a "no" when asked if the President has any authority to strike US citizens on US soil, Attorney General Eric Holder revealed this week that any individual, acting in the vaguely-defined "enemy of the state" capacity, is subject to lethal military force abroad.

Huffington Post

When Obama issued DACA, he was acting in his capacity as the head of the Executive Branch, which is the branch of government that controls all U.S. agencies.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "acting in the capacity of" to clearly define someone's temporary or specific role, especially when it differs from their usual position.

Common error

Avoid using "acting in the capacity of" in casual conversation; simpler phrases like "as" or "like" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acting in the capacity of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, typically indicating the specific role or function someone is performing. This clarifies the context in which an action is taken. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acting in the capacity of" is a prepositional phrase used to specify the role or function someone is undertaking, providing clarity and context to their actions. While grammatically correct and usable as Ludwig AI confirms, it is best suited for formal or semi-formal contexts. Common alternatives include "serving as" or "functioning as". Its prevalence in news, scientific, and wiki sources highlights its use in informative and descriptive contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the role of

Directly indicates a specific position being held.

serving as

Implies a temporary or designated role.

functioning as

Highlights the operational aspect of a role.

performing the duties of

Focuses on the responsibilities associated with a position.

fulfilling the role of

Emphasizes the completion of tasks within a specific function.

working as

Focuses on the work being done in a specific position.

as a

A shorter alternative, often used when the role is clear.

undertaking the function of

Highlights the specific tasks and responsibilities.

discharging the responsibilities of

Focuses on the obligations and duties of the role.

officiating as

Often used in a formal or ceremonial context.

FAQs

How can I use "acting in the capacity of" in a sentence?

You can use "acting in the capacity of" to specify the role someone is undertaking, such as, "During the manager's absence, she was "serving as" interim director".

What are some alternatives to "acting in the capacity of"?

Some alternatives include "serving as", "functioning as", or "in the role of", depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "acting as" or "acting in the capacity of"?

"Acting as" is generally more concise and suitable for informal contexts, while "acting in the capacity of" is more formal and precise, often used to specify temporary roles or responsibilities.

What's the difference between "acting in the capacity of" and "representing"?

"Acting in the capacity of" indicates the role or function someone is performing, whereas "representing" implies speaking or acting on behalf of someone or something.