are better capable of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are better capable of" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward to some readers.
It can be used when comparing the abilities of different subjects, but it is often more effective to use simpler constructions. Example: "They are better capable of handling complex tasks than their predecessors."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Applying them will improve the comparability and ranking of exposure levels for different microenvironments, activities or (groups of) people, such that epidemiological studies are better capable of finding potential weak correlations with health effects.

Environment International

Contemporary approaches based on probabilistic argumentation systems and probabilistic networks are better capable of handling these computational challenges.

SEP

Conversely, the dominant Env epitope in this study (B7 supertype-restricted OLP-169) was associated with worse clinical outcome, raising the possibility that responses to certain epitopes can distract attention away from epitopes that are better capable of providing protection.

Plosone

This finding corroborates the CAM metastasis results, suggesting that the collective TβRII KO aggregates are better capable of metastasis.

Breast Cancer Research

These maternal effects are expected to evolve whenever females are better capable of assessing the environmental conditions that their offspring will experience than the offspring themselves [ 3].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

According to the cognitive science literature, people with higher cognitive skills are better capable of taking other people's perspective (Hein and Singer 2008).

Ageing and Society

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

No one was better capable of doing that than his own family.

The New York Times

A resilience approach makes the system less prone to disturbances, enables quick and flexible responses, and is better capable of dealing with surprises than traditional predictive approaches.

Technological Forecasting and Social Change

They knew that it was an immense tract of land, that it would be the subject of grave criticism, and they knew more about it, and were better capable of forming a judgment of the correctness of that survey, than this court can be.

Cornell University

They also found that the participant having a great deal of science background and possessing informed views about NOS was better capable of addressing NOS during his teaching.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

He, rather, was a genial but trenchant critic of elitism -- the attitude that the elites would be better capable of managing our lives for us than we ourselves are.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are better capable of", ensure the comparison is clear. Specify what the subject is better capable of doing compared to what or whom.

Common error

Avoid using "are better capable of" when simpler alternatives like "are more able to" or "are better at" convey the same meaning more directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are better capable of" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, indicating an enhanced ability or capacity relative to something else. Ludwig's examples demonstrate it often appears when contrasting different entities or states.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are better capable of" denotes a heightened ability or capacity compared to something else. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound awkward, as Ludwig AI highlights. Simpler alternatives such as "are more able to" or "are better at" often provide a more concise and natural alternative. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, using "are better capable of" effectively involves clearly specifying the comparison and ensuring the context warrants the emphasis on enhanced ability. Although acceptable, be mindful of potential wordiness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are more adept at

Focuses on skill and proficiency.

are more skilled in

Highlights expertise.

are more proficient at

Emphasizes competence and efficiency.

are better equipped to

Stresses preparedness and having the necessary tools.

are in a better position to

Highlights a more advantageous circumstance.

are more able to

Simple and direct synonym for increased ability.

are better positioned for

Similar to 'in a better position', but focuses on future opportunities.

are superior in their ability to

Emphasizes clear advantage and skill.

are more competent to

Focuses on having sufficient skill or knowledge.

are more apt to

Suggests a natural inclination or tendency towards an action.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "are better capable of" to sound more natural?

Consider using alternatives such as "are more able to", "are better at", or "are more adept at" for a smoother flow.

Is there a difference between "are better capable of" and "are more capable of"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "are more capable of" is generally preferred for its conciseness and directness. "Are better capable of" isn't wrong, but it can occasionally sound wordy.

When is it appropriate to use "are better capable of"?

Use "are better capable of" when you want to emphasize a distinct improvement or enhanced ability compared to a previous state or another entity. However, ensure the context benefits from this specific emphasis.

What are some formal alternatives to "are better capable of"?

In formal writing, you might consider phrases like "are more proficient at", "are better equipped to", or "are superior in their ability to" to convey a sense of enhanced capability in a sophisticated manner.