as a capital

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a capital" is not commonly used in written English and may not convey a clear meaning without additional context.
It could potentially be used in discussions about finance, economics, or geography, but clarity is essential. Example: "The city is recognized as a capital of innovation in technology."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Executives accounted for current operational costs as a capital expense.

The New York Times

Torture is a felony, and is sometimes treated as a capital crime.

The New Yorker

What they found was that virtually every one could have been tried as a capital murder.

The New York Times

The tax code treats that as a capital gain, taxed at a lower 15 percent rate.

The New York Times

For one thing, reporting carried interest income as a capital gain, while unseemly, is perfectly legal.

The New York Times

"The ancient city of Handan must be rejuvenated as a capital of steel," Mao proclaimed.

The New York Times

The city was booming then, serving alongside Vienna as a capital of the Austro-Hungarian empire.

The New York Times

Hungry to catch up with London and New York as a capital of design".

The New York Times - Magazine

If securities become worthless, they may be deducted as a capital loss.

The New York Times

This is why so much of agricultural Wales was keen on having Caernarvon as a capital.

The Guardian

Portland, Ore., established itself as a capital of the organic-food movement years ago.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "as a capital", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to a political, economic, or cultural center to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "as a capital" when a more specific term like "economic hub" or "cultural center" would provide greater clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a capital" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun, typically a city or region. It serves to define or characterize the preceding noun, indicating its role or status as a significant center. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase denotes political, economic, or cultural importance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as a capital" is frequently used to define a location's primary role or importance across different domains. Ludwig AI classifies it as acceptable with examples in news, science, and encyclopedias. While generally grammatically sound, context is crucial to ensure clarity. More specific descriptors, like "economic hub" or "cultural center", may sometimes be more appropriate. Therefore, while "as a capital" is a versatile phrase, careful consideration of the intended meaning and audience ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a key city

Replaces "capital" with "key city", emphasizing importance.

as a major hub

Substitutes "capital" with "major hub", highlighting centrality.

as a leading center

Uses "leading center" instead of "capital", focusing on prominence.

as an important city

Replaces "capital" with "important city", stressing significance.

as the main city

Simple substitution of "capital" to indicate primary urban center.

as a central location

Focuses on the geographical importance, by substituting "capital".

as an administrative center

Highlights the administrative role, substituting "capital" specifically for governance.

as a political hub

Emphasizes the political functions associated, changing "capital" to "political hub".

as a focal point

Shifts the emphasis to centrality and importance, substituting "capital" with a more abstract concept.

as a principal area

Replaces "capital" with a broader term that stresses the area's principal nature.

FAQs

How is "as a capital" used in a sentence?

The phrase "as a capital" is used to describe a place's significance, such as "London is known as a capital of finance". It highlights the primary role or characteristic of the location.

What are some synonyms for "as a capital"?

Alternatives to "as a capital" include phrases like "as a key city", "as a major hub", or "as a leading center", each emphasizing a slightly different aspect of the location's importance.

Is it better to use "as a capital city" or "as a capital"?

Using "as a capital city" is more explicit when referring to the seat of government. "As a capital" can be used more broadly to describe any location recognized for its importance in a particular field, but needs more context.

When should I avoid using the phrase "as a capital"?

Avoid using "as a capital" if the context is unclear or if a more specific descriptor, such as "as an economic hub" or "as a cultural center", would provide more precise information.