be capable of launching

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be capable of launching" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the ability or potential to initiate or start something, such as a project, product, or system. Example: "The new software is designed to be capable of launching multiple applications simultaneously."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

It is said that it will be capable of launching nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles.

The New York Times

A senior official pointed to an aborted bombing plot in December 1999 as an example of an operation that Al Qaeda might still be capable of launching.

The New York Times

American generals, however, caution that while the organization has been significantly weakened, it continues to be capable of launching attacks that lead to mass casualties.

The New York Times

A top rebel commander told the Guardian over the weekend that the Donetsk authorities have "all the intelligence we need" about Mariupol's defences and would be capable of launching an assault at any minute.

The Guardian

Isis carried out the two deadliest attacks last year, and Mr Killelea said the Paris attacks showed the group appeared to now be capable of launching "sophisticated and deadly attacks" in Europe.

Independent

Instead, all the major combat commands of the U.S. military will soon have their own "dedicated" cyberforces and each will be capable of launching cyberattacks. .

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

North Korea is capable of launching a devastating missile attack against South Korea, according to experts.

The New York Times

The Palestinians "are capable of launching a third or fourth intifada until victory is ours," Mr. Meshal said.

The New York Times

Obviously made in the image of Angry Birds (he even stuffed a bunch of feathers into the holder), the slingshot is capable of launching a human many metres into the air.

Independent

It reached its apex in 1954 at Dien Bien Phu, a remote area surrounded by hills in the North, where the French believed they could "withstand any kind of attack the Viet Minh are capable of launching".

The New York Times - Books

The Defense Intelligence Agency rang alarms bells on Thursday with a report that it had concluded with "moderate confidence" that the North was capable of launching a missile with a nuclear warhead.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be capable of launching", ensure that the subject performing the launching action is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify who or what possesses the ability to launch something.

Common error

Avoid embedding too many clauses within a sentence using "be capable of launching". Break down complex sentences to improve readability and clarity. For example, instead of saying "The system, which has been rigorously tested, is now believed to be capable of launching a series of complex operations that will impact the entire network", consider splitting it into shorter sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be capable of launching" serves as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate its ability or potential to initiate a specific action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in English writing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be capable of launching" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for indicating the ability or potential to initiate something, according to Ludwig AI. While not as frequent as simpler alternatives, it maintains a presence in news, science, and general contexts. The analyzed sources and examples from Ludwig showcase the phrase's versatility in describing both tangible actions (like missile launches) and more abstract processes (like software operations). Its formality lends itself well to professional and neutral communication, making it a reliable choice for various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have the capacity to launch

Replaces "be capable of" with "have the capacity to", emphasizing the inherent ability.

be able to initiate

Substitutes "launching" with "initiating", focusing on the start of an action or process.

have the potential to start

Substitutes "be capable of" with "have the potential to" and "launching" with "start", focusing on future possibility.

be in a position to commence

Replaces "be capable of" with "be in a position to" and "launching" with "commence", suggesting readiness and a formal start.

possess the means to deploy

Changes "be capable of" to "possess the means to" and "launching" to "deploy", emphasizing resources and strategic placement.

be equipped to activate

Replaces "be capable of" with "be equipped to" and "launching" with "activate", indicating readiness and preparation for action.

be prepared to unleash

Replaces "be capable of" with "be prepared to" and "launching" with "unleash", suggesting readiness and a powerful release.

be ready to set in motion

Changes "launching" to "set in motion", emphasizing the initiation of a process or system.

be apt to trigger

Substitutes "be capable of" with "be apt to" and "launching" with "trigger", focusing on a natural inclination to start.

have what it takes to instigate

Replaces "be capable of" with "have what it takes to" and "launching" with "instigate", suggesting necessary qualities for initiation.

FAQs

How can I use "be capable of launching" in a sentence?

You can use "be capable of launching" to describe something's ability to initiate or start an action. For instance, "The new software is "be capable of launching" multiple applications simultaneously".

What can I say instead of "be capable of launching"?

Alternatives include phrases like "have the ability to launch", "be able to initiate", or "be in a position to commence", depending on the desired nuance.

Is it more formal to say "be capable of launching" or "be able to launch"?

"Be capable of launching" is generally considered more formal than "be able to launch". The choice depends on the context and intended audience. For a professional context, "be capable of launching" is preferable. If you'd like to be more formal you can consider using phrases such as "be in a position to commence".

What's the difference between "be capable of launching" and "be designed to launch"?

"Be capable of launching" describes a current ability, while "be designed to launch" describes an intended purpose or functionality. For example, "This device is "be capable of launching" missiles", indicates it can currently do so, while "This device is designed to launch missiles" indicates that was the intent during design, regardless of current capability.