beyond our capacity

USAGE SUMMARY

'beyond our capacity' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when describing something that is too difficult, too complex, or too far beyond one's own skills or resources. For example, "Solving this problem is beyond our capacity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We worked beyond our capacity.

The New York Times

"The demand is beyond our capacity.

The Guardian

Real relationships push us beyond our capacity.

The New York Times - Tech

"Climate change impacts are beyond our capacity to cope.

The Guardian

None of these problems is beyond our capacity to solve.

The New York Times

They added, "What he did was unforgivable and beyond our capacity to understand".

The New York Times

Worse, the fear is that the knowledge has grown beyond our capacity as a society.

The New Yorker

A regionwide Lebanon might well prove beyond our capacity to police, regardless of effort expended.

The New York Times - Magazine

The horrors of that camp go beyond our capacity to imagine.

The New York Times

"We can't have the Congress impose requirements that we are forced to absorb beyond our capacity to do so".

The New York Times - Health

Obama's escalation in Afghanistan may be a card game played for stakes that are simply beyond our capacity.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add nuance, specify what aspect of capacity is being exceeded (e.g., "beyond our financial capacity", "beyond our technical capacity").

Common error

Avoid using "beyond our capacity" when the issue is merely a matter of unwillingness or lack of effort, rather than a genuine limitation. Ensure it reflects a true inability to act or understand.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "beyond our capacity" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that something exceeds the limits of our ability, resources, or understanding. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts to express limitations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "beyond our capacity" is a versatile expression used to indicate limitations in ability, resources, or understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use in varied contexts. The phrase is particularly common in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a genuine limitation rather than a lack of willingness. Alternatives like "beyond our capabilities" or "exceeding our limits" can offer slight nuances depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beyond our capabilities

This alternative directly replaces "capacity" with a synonym denoting the ability to do something.

surpassing our abilities

This highlights that something is greater or more extensive than our inherent skills or talents.

exceeding our limits

This phrase emphasizes that something is surpassing the boundaries of what we can handle or achieve.

outside our competence

This suggests that something falls outside the scope of our expertise or skill set.

more than we can manage

This focuses on the practical aspect of handling or dealing with something effectively.

not within our power

This indicates a lack of authority or ability to influence or control something.

beyond our control

This emphasizes that something is not subject to our influence or regulation.

exceeds our grasp

This suggests something is conceptually or practically unattainable.

not feasible for us

This indicates that something is not practical or possible to undertake given our resources or constraints.

unachievable by us

This conveys that something is impossible for us to accomplish.

FAQs

How can I use "beyond our capacity" in a sentence?

You can use "beyond our capacity" to describe situations where something exceeds your ability to handle it, such as: "The scale of the disaster was "beyond our capacity" to manage effectively".

What are some alternatives to saying "beyond our capacity"?

Alternatives include "beyond our capabilities", "exceeding our limits", or "outside our competence". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "beyond our capacity" or "beyond our capabilities"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. "Capacity" generally refers to the ability to hold or contain, while "capabilities" refers to the ability to perform specific actions. The choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "beyond our capacity"?

It's inappropriate if you simply don't want to do something, rather than being genuinely unable to do it. It implies a genuine limitation of resources, skills, or understanding.