build capabilities

USAGE SUMMARY

"build capabilities" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to develop or enhance skills or abilities. Example: In order to remain competitive in the market, the company must focus on building capabilities within their workforce by providing training and development opportunities.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"The next step for analytics to help cities respond to a crisis is to build capabilities that provide effective risk mitigation," Mr. McCloskey said.

The New York Times

The report says income management could be used to "build capabilities as part of a case-management approach to assist the large number of disadvantaged young people not fully engaged in either education or work".

The Guardian

The development of an industrial base in Japan and South Korea was a long and arduous process in which each economy needed to build capabilities along the whole of a supply chain to manufacture finished goods.

The Economist

"This is a decisive investment by the EU to create open data skills, build capabilities, and provide fuel for open data startups across Europe," said Gavin Starks, chief executive of the ODI a non-for-profit organisation based in London co-founded by inventor of the world wide web Sir Tim Berners-Lee.

The Guardian - Tech

The community can build capabilities we can't imagine".

TechCrunch

We explore how GVTs adapt routines and build capabilities, and the role played by brokers and social identities in this process.

Journal of International Management

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

We let them build capability.

The New York Times

"It's about investing around the world, including the United States, to build capability and deliver value as defined by our customers".

The New York Times

Issuing a press release when something terrible happens is no substitute for action on the ground to build capability and to give the young the voice that is stifled by their elders.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is potential to build capability and capacity within councils for natural hazard management, particularly on managing risk.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

The following actions could be implemented to improve the current state of natural hazards planning: There is potential to build capability and capacity within councils for natural hazard management, particularly on managing risk.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing organizational development, use "build capabilities" to emphasize a strategic, long-term approach to enhancing the collective skills and resources of the entity.

Common error

Avoid using "build capabilities" when referring to simple, short-term training exercises. Reserve it for initiatives that genuinely aim to create lasting, broad-based improvements in an organization's or individual's capacity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "build capabilities" functions as a verb phrase where "build" is the verb and "capabilities" is the direct object. It describes the action of developing or creating skills or abilities. This usage is consistent with examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

21%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "build capabilities" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression signifying the development or enhancement of skills, abilities, or resources. According to Ludwig, it appears most commonly in News & Media and Science contexts, and is appropriate for both neutral and professional registers. When using this phrase, focus on strategic, long-term improvements rather than simple, short-term gains. Alternatives include "develop abilities", "enhance skills", and "strengthen capacities" to refine your meaning. Remember that it emphasizes a planned and strategic approach to skills or resources enhancement, in contrast to simply increasing volume or production.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

develop abilities

Focuses on the action of developing rather than the construction metaphor.

enhance skills

Replaces 'capabilities' with 'skills' and uses 'enhance' instead of 'build'.

cultivate talents

Uses a more metaphorical verb, 'cultivate', suggesting careful nurturing.

foster expertise

Emphasizes the growth of deep knowledge and skill.

improve competence

Focuses on the state of being adequately qualified.

strengthen capacities

Uses 'strengthen' to convey reinforcement and 'capacities' as a more formal synonym.

increase proficiency

Highlights the improvement of skill level.

advance skillsets

Uses 'skillsets' to emphasize a range of skills, and 'advance' for progression.

grow know-how

Uses 'know-how', an informal term for practical knowledge, and 'grow' for incremental development.

expand skill base

Focuses on broadening the range of skills available.

FAQs

How can I use "build capabilities" in a sentence?

You can use "build capabilities" to describe the process of developing skills or resources. For example: "The company invested in training programs to "build capabilities" in data analytics among its employees".

What is an alternative to "build capabilities"?

Alternatives include "develop abilities", "enhance skills", or "strengthen capacities", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "build capabilities" or "build capacity"?

"Build capabilities" focuses on skills and abilities, while "build capacity" refers to increasing the amount or volume something can hold or produce. The better choice depends on the context.

What does it mean to "build capabilities" in a business context?

In business, to ""build capabilities"" typically means to invest in training, technology, or processes that improve the organization's ability to perform its core functions effectively and efficiently.