become capable of

USAGE SUMMARY

"become capable of" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe someone or something increasing their ability to do something. For example, "The young gymnast was determined to become capable of performing advanced maneuvers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We have to become capable of it.

The Guardian - Tech

That's what Eastwood had become capable of.

The New Yorker

Over time I've become capable of engaging and talking about my work.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But what if robots really did become capable of reading our intentions and interacting with us safely?

The Guardian - Tech

People in love can lose even the most basic critical faculties and become capable of monumental self-deception.

The Guardian - Books

Bradley, when on his game, has become capable of dictating the game on both sides of the ball.

The Guardian - Sport

The thing is: What does one do when men become capable of cutting the throat of a small child?

The New Yorker

When stimulated by antigen and certain other agents, some lymphocytes are activated and become capable of cell division (mitosis).

Encyclopedia Britannica

The report added: "Terrorist organisations will have access to new technology and may become capable of conducting more lethal operations".

Independent

He hopes to design similar dynamic content for portable music players when they become capable of display graphics on color screens.

The New York Times - Tech

There remains an outside chance that the emirate may yet become capable of combining development with equity, transparency and environmental sustainability.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become capable of" when emphasizing the process of gaining a new skill or ability over time. For example, "After years of practice, she "become capable of" performing complex surgical procedures."

Common error

Avoid using "become capable of" in excessively passive constructions. For example, instead of saying "The task was become capable of being completed by the team", prefer "The team "become capable of" completing the task."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become capable of" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the process of acquiring an ability or skill. Ludwig shows examples in varied contexts, such as individuals developing skills or systems evolving to handle new tasks.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "become capable of" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe the process of acquiring an ability or skill. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. Analysis reveals that the phrase is commonly used in neutral to formal registers, emphasizing transformation and growth. While alternatives such as "acquire the ability to" and "gain the capacity to" exist, "become capable of" uniquely highlights the developmental aspect. When using this phrase, ensure active voice and avoid overuse in overly passive constructions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquire the ability to

Focuses on the acquisition of ability, rather than the process of becoming.

gain the capacity to

Emphasizes gaining a potential or inherent ability.

develop the skill to

Highlights the development of a specific skill.

grow able to

Suggests a gradual increase in ability.

get to be able to

An informal alternative, emphasizing the process of achieving ability.

be empowered to

Highlights the aspect of being given power or authorization to do something.

turn out to be capable of

Implies a surprising or unexpected ability.

prove to be able to

Focuses on demonstrating an existing, but perhaps unknown, ability.

reach the point where one can

Highlights reaching a specific stage of development or preparedness.

evolve the potential for

Suggests an evolutionary process leading to new possibilities.

FAQs

How can I use "become capable of" in a sentence?

Use "become capable of" to indicate the process of acquiring a new skill or ability. For example, "Through diligent study, she "become capable of" understanding complex theories."

What are some alternatives to "become capable of"?

You can use alternatives like "acquire the ability to", "gain the capacity to", or "develop the skill to" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "become capable of" or "is capable of"?

"Become capable of" emphasizes the process of acquiring a skill, while "is capable of" describes a current state. Use "become capable of" when highlighting development or progress. In this case, prefer alternatives like "is able to".

Which is correct, "become capable to" or "become capable of"?

"Become capable of" is the correct form. The preposition "of" is required after "capable" when followed by a gerund or noun phrase.