be capable of withstanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be capable of withstanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the ability of something to endure or resist certain conditions or forces. Example: "The new building materials are designed to be capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Facility structures, machinery, and equipment must be capable of withstanding high levels of moisture.

Planning and Designing Research Animal Facilities

Bottles or tanks used for this type of fermentation must be capable of withstanding pressures as high as 10 atmospheres.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When used for regulation, the valve must be capable of withstanding the expected conditions for long periods whilst throttling flow.

Water Supply

Advanced composite systems must be capable of withstanding severe environments and still maintain their structural integrity in the designed life.

Composite Technologies for 2020 Proceedings of the Fourth Asian–Australasian Conference on Composite Materials (ACCM 4)

It was clear to my mother that, like her, this woman would be capable of withstanding my father's tantrums, his compulsive childishness, and his compulsive lying.

The New Yorker

(1) Lockout and tagout devices shall be capable of withstanding the environment to which they are exposed for the maximum period of time that exposure is expected.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

An illustration of a tardigrade, which is capable of withstanding dehydration and cosmic radiation.

Harvard University

The proliferation of festivities seems to underscore that "Ulysses" is capable of withstanding almost infinite exploration.

The New York Times - Books

The sled's polyethylene hull is capable of withstanding extreme temperatures down to minus 100 degrees.

The New York Times - Sports

He was also doubtful that the Russian fleet was capable of withstanding a fight with US naval forces.

The Guardian

Tendons are highly fibrous tissues that are capable of withstanding particularly high tensile loads.

Electrospinning for Tissue Regeneration

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be capable of withstanding", ensure the specific force, pressure, or condition being withstood is clearly stated to provide context.

Common error

Avoid using "be capable of withstanding" without clearly specifying what is being withstood. For example, instead of saying "The material is capable of withstanding", specify "The material is capable of withstanding high temperatures."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be capable of withstanding" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, indicating the ability or capacity to endure or resist a specific condition or force. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use across diverse contexts, from describing building materials to abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be capable of withstanding" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe the ability to endure or resist specific conditions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appears frequently in science, news media, and academic contexts. When using the phrase, clarity is key: always specify what is being withstood. Alternatives like ""be able to endure"" or ""be equipped to resist"" can provide subtle shifts in emphasis, but "be capable of withstanding" remains a reliable choice for formal and technical writing when the goal is to assure robustness or reliability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be designed to withstand

Indicates a deliberate intent for something to endure specific forces or conditions.

be able to endure

Focuses on the ability to suffer or put up with something, highlighting resilience.

be equipped to resist

Emphasizes having the necessary tools or qualities for opposition.

be strong enough to survive

Highlights the strength required to overcome adverse conditions.

have the capacity to bear

Indicates the ability to support or carry something, whether physically or metaphorically.

be resistant to

Highlights a natural or inherent property of not being affected by something.

be up to resisting

Expresses the preparedness and capability for opposing or combating something.

be impervious to

Suggests complete and impenetrable resistance.

be built to last

Focuses on long-term durability and resilience.

be formatted to tolerate

Specifies the ability to handle or accept something without adverse effects.

FAQs

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

You can use "be capable of withstanding" to describe something's ability to endure specific conditions. For example, "The bridge is designed to be capable of withstanding strong earthquakes."

What are some alternatives to "be capable of withstanding"?

Alternatives include "be able to endure", "be equipped to resist", or "be resistant to", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "be capable of withstanding" or "be able to withstand"?

"Be capable of withstanding" is generally considered more formal than "be able to withstand". The choice depends on the context and audience.

What's the difference between "be capable of withstanding" and "be resistant to"?

"Be capable of withstanding" implies an active ability to endure a force or condition, while ""be resistant to"" suggests an inherent quality of not being affected by something. For example, "The shield is capable of withstanding bullets," versus "The metal is resistant to corrosion."