being capable of

USAGE SUMMARY

'being capable of' is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate a capability or capacity: The robot was capable of running a 5K in under 25 minutes.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Being capable of predicting seakeeping capabilities in the time domain is of great interest for the marine and offshore industries.

Journal of Computational Physics

"I don't picture either of them being capable of such a thing.

The Guardian

I mean, you shouldn't fault someone just for being capable of sin, right?

The New Yorker

In being capable of valuing, they may value what you abhor and abhor what you value.

The New Yorker

Bonobos are remarkable, Wind told me, for being capable of "unconditional love".

The New Yorker

They have mostly sat dumbly, showing no sign of being capable of leading the country.

The Economist

A number of crabs are amphibious, being capable of leaving the water to scavenge on land.

Encyclopedia Britannica

multiplier, with one being capable of performing run-time-reconfigurable (RTR) dual Single Precision (S.P).

Microelectronics Journal

In being capable of forming complex desires and intentions, they are capable of harboring malice and plotting against you.

The New Yorker

The wines, when young, can be delicious and show every indication of being capable of ripe old age.

The New York Times - Food

"On a week-to-week basis you can see the thing getting smarter and being capable of more.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "being capable of", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what the subject is capable of. Be specific and avoid vague statements.

Common error

Avoid using "being capable of" in overly passive constructions. Active voice often makes your writing more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "The system is being considered as capable of handling the load", try "The system can handle the load."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being capable of" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe its ability or potential to perform a specific action. As shown by Ludwig, it highlights a quality or characteristic of the subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

38%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "being capable of" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express ability or potential. According to Ludwig, it is perfectly acceptable in written English. Its frequency across diverse fields like science, news, and general knowledge indicates its broad applicability. While alternatives like "able to" may offer conciseness, "being capable of" emphasizes a sustained state or potential for action. Remember to avoid overuse in passive constructions for clearer and more impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

able to

A more concise and commonly used alternative.

having the capacity to

Emphasizes inherent potential or ability.

competent to

Focuses on possessing the necessary skill or knowledge.

equipped to

Highlights the possession of necessary resources or skills.

in a position to

Suggests the necessary circumstances or authority are present.

qualified to

Indicates meeting specific requirements or standards.

fit to

Implies suitability or appropriateness for a particular task.

empowered to

Highlights the granting of authority or power to act.

prepared to

Focuses on readiness or willingness to undertake something.

equal to

Suggests the ability to meet a challenge or demand.

FAQs

What does "being capable of" mean?

It signifies possessing the ability, capacity, or potential to perform a specific action or function.

What are some alternatives to "being capable of"?

You can use alternatives like "able to", "in a position to", or "having the capacity to" depending on the context.

How to use "being capable of" in a sentence?

Use "being capable of" to describe a subject's ability or potential. For example, "The new software is being capable of processing large datasets." Ensure correct verb tense and subject-verb agreement.

Is it better to say "able to" or "being capable of"?

"Able to" is often more concise and direct. However, "being capable of" can be useful when emphasizing the ongoing state or potential for a capability.