beyond the capacity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "beyond the capacity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something exceeds a certain limit or ability, whether it's physical, mental, or resource-related. Example: "The project was beyond the capacity of our current team, requiring additional resources and expertise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It all seems beyond the capacity of the rebels.

The Economist

But it is beyond the capacity of litigation to produce a just or fair result here.

The New York Times

All of these schemes might seem beyond the capacity of a street gang graduate.

The New York Times

The insurgency has now grown beyond the capacity of the Nigerian state to control.

The Guardian

But a true house-cleaning seems beyond the capacity of America's politicians just now.

The Guardian - Opinion

Neither problem — Greece nor Spain — is beyond the capacity of the European authorities to deal with.

The New Yorker

Some witnesses noted that demand was increasing beyond the capacity of voluntary food banks to help.

The Guardian

"A Tet-style offensive is beyond the capacity of village mullahs to plan and execute.

Independent

It is probably beyond the capacity of the government to manage that last layer.

The New York Times

"This is way beyond the capacity of the machine," Dimon admitted.

The New York Times - Magazine

The future, however, might be beyond the capacity of Lebanon's divided factions alone to determine.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "beyond the capacity", ensure the context clearly defines what specific limit or ability is being exceeded. For example, specify whether it refers to physical limits, resource constraints, or skill levels.

Common error

Avoid using "beyond the capacity" vaguely. Always clarify what entity or system's capacity is being referred to. Saying "the task was beyond the capacity" is less effective than saying "the task was beyond the capacity of our current team".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "beyond the capacity" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used as an adjective to modify a noun. It describes the state of exceeding the limits or capabilities of something. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "beyond the capacity" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something exceeds a certain limit or ability. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's commonly found in news, scientific, and business contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal tone. To ensure clarity, specify what limit is being exceeded when using this phrase. Related phrases such as "exceeding the limits" or "surpassing the capability" can be used as alternatives, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceeding the limits

This alternative directly indicates surpassing a defined boundary or restriction.

surpassing the capability

Focuses on the inability to perform or achieve something due to exceeding inherent abilities.

outside the scope

Implies that something falls outside of the defined area of responsibility or expertise.

outstrips the resources

Focuses on the exhaustion of available resources, indicating a supply shortage.

overwhelms the ability

Highlights the overwhelming nature of something exceeding one's capabilities.

in excess of

Suggests that something is greater than a specific amount or level.

transcends the limitation

Implies overcoming a restriction or boundary, moving beyond what is possible.

more than able to handle

Indicates an inverse situation, suggesting an overabundance of resources or abilities.

unsurmountable by the talent

Points out that there is not enough talent to find solutions for something.

too much for

Informal way to describe the excess of something in contrast to something else.

FAQs

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

You can use "beyond the capacity" to describe situations where something exceeds a limit. For example, "The project was "beyond the capacity" of the existing infrastructure".

What are some alternatives to "beyond the capacity"?

Alternatives include "exceeding the limits", "surpassing the capability", or "outside the scope", depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "beyond the capacity" or "too much for"?

"Beyond the capacity" is generally more formal and suitable for professional or academic writing. "Too much for" is more informal and appropriate for casual conversation.

What's the difference between "beyond the capacity" and "beyond the means"?

"Beyond the capacity" refers to exceeding abilities or limits, while "beyond the means" refers to exceeding available resources, especially financial ones. For example, a task might be "beyond the capacity" of a small team, while a luxury item might be "beyond the means" of a low-income family.