are capable only

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are capable only" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something has a specific limitation or exclusivity in its capabilities. Example: "These machines are capable only of performing basic tasks, not complex operations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Trained canines are capable only of detecting drugs.

Cornell University

So, more power to the piss-takers, when the parties are capable only of being so extravagantly, robotically meaningless.

The Guardian - Opinion

Iraqis are destined to fight, he said, because after years of abuse, they are capable only of abusing.

The New York Times

Many chemicals, known as complete carcinogens, can both initiate and promote a tumour; others, called incomplete carcinogens, are capable only of initiation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The human body is full of adult stem cells–small populations of tissue-specific stem cells that are capable only of developing into the cells of their resident tissue, and whose job is to help maintain and repair that tissue.

MIT Technology Review

Also in the case of an outer intuition, its proper object is not the "outer" cause of it but an "inner" mental event; human beings are capable only of having subjective intuitions whose proper object is a change in their mind (WL III, 89, 145).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Not that Mr. Terfel is capable only of bellowing.

The New York Times - Arts

One might expect a mother to intervene, but Kacy is capable only of suggesting hats.

The New York Times - Books

A machine that is capable only of unconscious intelligence "reads" its thoughts as if they were on cue cards.

MIT Technology Review

It is capable only of what the unfolding of a future between two specific people can meaningfully allow.

The New York Times

These females could produce YY males, which would then be capable only of producing male offspring, upsetting the sex balance in a fish population.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are capable only", ensure the context clearly defines the limitation or restriction being placed. This will enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "are capable only" when the subject has other potential abilities, even if they are less prominent. This phrase should be reserved for scenarios with genuine and clearly defined restrictions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are capable only" functions as a restrictive modifier, limiting the scope of an entity's abilities. As stated by Ludwig AI, it emphasizes limitations or exclusivity. For instance, 'Trained canines are capable only of detecting drugs' specifies a canine's sole capability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are capable only" is a grammatically correct construction used to emphasize the limitations of an entity's abilities. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is appropriate when defining a restricted range of actions or functions. While it appears across various domains, including news, science, and academia, its usage is not overly frequent. To ensure clarity, it's important to use this phrase when the subject truly possesses limited capabilities and to avoid overstating these restrictions. Alternatives such as "solely capable of" or "limited to being able to" can offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

solely capable of

Emphasizes exclusivity, highlighting that the capability is restricted to only one thing.

exclusively able to

Focuses on the unique ability, implying that no other entity can perform the action.

limited to being able to

Explicitly states a restriction on the range of abilities.

restricted in capacity to

Highlights the limited scope of what can be achieved.

merely capable of

Downplays the capability, suggesting it's basic or minimal.

just able to

Indicates a minimal level of ability, often implying difficulty.

only have the ability to

States the presence of a single ability, excluding others.

are confined to

Highlights the constraint or boundary within which the capability exists.

can singularly

Stresses the unique and isolated nature of the ability.

uniquely positioned to

Suggests that a particular entity is specially equipped to perform an action.

FAQs

How can I use "are capable only" in a sentence?

Use "are capable only" to specify that the subject's abilities are restricted to a particular action or set of actions. For example, "These tools are capable only of performing basic arithmetic functions".

What phrases are similar to "are capable only"?

Similar phrases include "solely capable of", "limited to being able to", or "merely capable of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a more formal alternative to "are capable only"?

A more formal alternative could be "possess the exclusive capacity to" or "are restricted to". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

How does "are capable only" differ from "are capable of"?

"Are capable of" indicates a general ability, while "are capable only" specifies a restriction. For example, "These devices are capable of data processing" is general, whereas "These devices are capable only of basic data processing" is restrictive.