are perfectly capable of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are perfectly capable of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express someone's ability or competence in doing something. Example: "Despite the challenges, the team members are perfectly capable of completing the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet most women are perfectly capable of breast-feeding discreetly.

The Economist

We are perfectly capable of doing whatever we want by ourselves..."...

The Guardian

"The Americans are perfectly capable of doing Israel's work without recruiting the UK to help.

The Guardian

Yet they are survivors, and with support many of them are perfectly capable of juggling both".

The Guardian

Audiences are perfectly capable of distinguishing between the crazed and the creative.

The Guardian

"We have other relationships and we are perfectly capable of delivering video to other hardware devices".

The New York Times - Tech

They contend that courts are perfectly capable of weighing the competing security and environmental concerns.

The New York Times

The Beavis and Butt-heads of America, Hiaasen sees, are perfectly capable of murder.

The New Yorker

Bench players in pro basketball are perfectly capable of disrupting a good team.

The New York Times

Critics have long argued that the ordinary federal courts are perfectly capable of handling terror trials.

The Economist

But Mexicans or Argentines are perfectly capable of talking to Europe on their own behalf.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you wish to express certainty in someone's ability, this phrase is appropriate. Avoid using it when there's any doubt about the subject's capability.

Common error

Avoid using "are perfectly capable of" when discussing tasks that require specialized knowledge or skills that the subject may not possess. Overstating someone's ability can lead to unrealistic expectations and potential failure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are perfectly capable of" functions as a declarative statement expressing a strong belief in someone or something's ability to perform a task or handle a situation effectively. It highlights competence and confidence, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Science

6%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are perfectly capable of" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a strong belief in someone's ability or competence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across diverse sources like News & Media, highlighting its utility in asserting confidence. While versatile, it's crucial to consider the context and audience to ensure the tone aligns with the message and avoid potential overstatements or misinterpretations. Alternative phrasing options, such as "are quite able to" or "are fully equipped to", can offer nuance and formality when necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are quite able to

A more subtle way of expressing ability, suggesting competence without overstatement.

are entirely competent to

Emphasizes competence rather than capability, suggesting skill and knowledge.

are more than able to

Emphasizes that the subject's ability exceeds the requirements.

are fully equipped to

Focuses on having the necessary resources or qualifications.

are qualified to

Highlights the formal qualifications or training for a task.

are well-suited to

Highlights suitability for a particular task or role.

are skilled at

Emphasizes the level of skill or expertise in a particular area.

are proficient in

Highlights expertise and efficiency in performing a specific task or activity.

have the aptitude for

Focuses on the inherent ability or talent for something.

possess the talent to

Focuses on innate talent or natural ability.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "are perfectly capable of" to sound less assertive?

Consider using alternatives such as "are quite able to", "are well suited to", or "are more than able to" depending on the context, to convey confidence without being overly forceful.

Is it appropriate to use "are perfectly capable of" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "are perfectly capable of" can sometimes sound informal or overly confident in formal contexts. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "are entirely competent to" or "are fully equipped to" to maintain a professional tone.

What are some common errors to avoid when using "are perfectly capable of"?

Avoid overstating someone's abilities with this phrase. Make sure the subject genuinely possesses the skills and resources necessary to perform the task. Also, ensure that the tone is appropriate for your audience and context to prevent misinterpretation.

In what contexts is "are perfectly capable of" most appropriate?

This phrase is most appropriate when you want to confidently assert someone's ability to handle a specific task or situation. It works well in situations where you want to express trust and belief in their competence.