capability to understand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capability to understand" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's or something's ability to comprehend information or concepts. Example: "The software's capability to understand natural language has greatly improved over the years."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

That is, having the capability to understand the complex systems you live in and to make smart interventions accordingly.

The Guardian

The advocate, Nina E. Olson, also said it was vital that the Internal Revenue Service develop a serious research capability to understand how changes in the economy are affecting taxpayers, the amounts they pay and how some people escape taxes.

The New York Times

A second criterion is capability to understand the topics and express their feelings and opinions.

Ecological Processes

Second, the rapid gains encouraged an optimistic view of humans' capability to understand and shape their world.

SEP

Our capability to understand and especially predict this variability is still limited.

Coastal Engineering

The heterogeneous DEM fracture modeling approach has the potential capability to understand various crack mechanisms of quasi-brittle materials.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Modern analytical techniques – particularly the capability to analyse and compare vast sets of data simultaneously – are delivering new capabilities to understand how natural systems work.

The Guardian - Tech

These firms must integrate their technological competencies with marketing capabilities to understand customer needs to identify and pursue entrepreneurial opportunities (Dutta et al. 1999; Baker and Sinkula 2005).

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

This work develops simulation capabilities to understand and predict complex transport processes and phase behavior in these reservoirs for efficient and environmentally friendly production management.

Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering

At the "meta systems integration" level, an organization has to be established with the capabilities to understand the total system of systems, manage external interfaces with the multiple stakeholder sand coordinate the integration of its component parts.

International Journal of Project Management

If you think Siri is useful now, the next decade's generation of Siri will be much more like JARVIS from Ironman, with expanded capabilities, to understand and answer.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for a formal tone, using "capability to understand" can add a layer of technical precision, particularly in scientific or technical writing. For everyday conversation, simpler alternatives like "ability to understand" may be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "capability to understand" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for more natural phrases like "ability to get it" or "understanding" for better clarity and flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capability to understand" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a specific attribute or capacity. It describes the inherent or potential ability to comprehend something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "capability to understand" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While it's not incorrect to use it, its formal nature suggests that synonyms like "ability to comprehend" or simply "understanding" might be more appropriate in general contexts. Primarily found in scientific and news-related sources, it is used to emphasize an inherent or potential capacity for comprehension. Overusing this phrase in informal situations should be avoided to maintain clarity and a natural tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ability to comprehend

Replaces "capability" with "ability", focusing on the general capacity to grasp concepts.

capacity for understanding

Uses "capacity" instead of "capability", emphasizing the inherent potential for comprehension.

skill in understanding

Highlights the learned or developed proficiency in comprehension.

proficiency in understanding

Indicates a high degree of competence and skill in the process of understanding.

expertise in understanding

Emphasizes specialized knowledge and competence in a specific area of comprehension.

aptitude for understanding

Focuses on the natural inclination or talent for comprehension.

facility in understanding

Highlights the ease and fluency with which someone understands.

power of comprehension

Highlights the strength and effectiveness of understanding.

potential to understand

Emphasizes the possibility or future ability to comprehend.

discernment

A more concise, single-word alternative that implies understanding and insight.

FAQs

How can I use "capability to understand" in a sentence?

You can use "capability to understand" when referring to the potential or capacity of something or someone to comprehend information. For example, "The software's "capability to understand" natural language is constantly improving."

What are some alternatives to "capability to understand"?

Alternatives include "ability to comprehend", "capacity for understanding", or simply "understanding", depending on the desired level of formality and context.

Is "capability to understand" the same as "ability to understand"?

While very similar, "capability" often implies a more inherent or potential quality, whereas "ability" suggests a demonstrated skill. In most cases, they are interchangeable, but "capability" may be more suitable in technical or formal contexts.

When is it best to use "capability to understand" instead of simpler terms like "understanding"?

Use "capability to understand" when you want to emphasize the potential or inherent capacity for comprehension, especially in technical or scientific contexts where precision is important. Simpler terms like "understanding" work well in general usage.