beyond the capacity of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "beyond the capacity of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something exceeds the limits or abilities of a person, system, or object. Example: "The task was beyond the capacity of the team, leading to delays in the project timeline."

✓ 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 of", ensure the subject's limitation is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify whether it's a person, system, or organization being discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "beyond the capacity of" when a simple lack of effort or willingness is the issue. This phrase implies an inherent limitation, not a choice or oversight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "beyond the capacity of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, indicating a limitation or exceeding of capability. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's used to express that something is outside the limits of what someone or something can handle.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "beyond the capacity of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate that something exceeds the limits or capabilities of a person, system, or object. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news, media, business, and scientific contexts. Alternatives such as "exceeding the capabilities of" or "surpassing the limits of" can be used to convey similar meanings. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the entity's limitations to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceeding the capabilities of

Focuses on the action of surpassing what someone or something is able to do.

surpassing the limits of

Emphasizes the act of going beyond established boundaries or restrictions.

outside the scope of

Indicates that something falls outside the defined area or range of ability or authority.

more than can be handled by

Highlights the inability to manage or deal with something due to its size or complexity.

not within the realm of possibility for

Suggests that something is not achievable or feasible for a particular entity.

incapable of handling

Directly states the inability to manage or process something effectively.

beyond the reach of

Implies that something is unattainable or inaccessible.

out of one's depth

An idiomatic expression indicating a lack of knowledge or ability to deal with a situation.

unable to cope with

Expresses an inability to deal effectively with a challenging situation or task.

overwhelming for

Suggests that something is too much to handle, causing a feeling of being overpowered.

FAQs

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

Use "beyond the capacity of" to indicate that something exceeds the limits or abilities of a person, system, or object. For example: "The scale of the disaster was "beyond the capacity of" local resources to handle".

What are some alternatives to "beyond the capacity of"?

You can use alternatives like "exceeding the capabilities of", "surpassing the limits of", or "outside the scope of", depending on the specific context.

Is "beyond the capacity of" formal or informal?

"Beyond the capacity of" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, it is frequently observed in news, media, and formal business contexts, as shown in the examples.

What is the difference between "beyond the capacity of" and "incapable of"?

"Beyond the capacity of" suggests that something exceeds the limits or abilities, while "incapable of" directly states the inability to perform a specific action. "Beyond the capacity of" might imply a limit that could potentially be expanded, whereas "incapable of" suggests an inherent inability.