capable at

USAGE SUMMARY

"capable at" is not correct or usable in written English.
The correct phrase is "capable of." Example: She was capable of solving the problem with ease.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She was more capable at twelve.

The New Yorker

HP is, of course, capable at both types of business.

The Guardian - Tech

Sure enough, Nunez looked capable at the plate.

The New York Times - Sports

"Robin is very capable at third base, and he's also capable of playing first," Boggs said.

The New York Times - Sports

Are we capable at this moment of taking on the mantle of nonviolence?

The New York Times

They're easy to use but are surprisingly capable at higher speeds.

Independent

But, then, the players were young and not capable, at least not yet, of precisely blasting 125-m.p.h.

The New Yorker

After all, we've finally showed we're capable at home, and we know we're capable on the road.

The Guardian - Sport

Here, Fielding proves himself highly capable at plain old audience interaction: he's generous, authoritative, cheeky without being abusive.

The Guardian

While computers have become very capable at detecting faces, dependable face recognition by machines continues to be elusive.

The New York Times - Science

President Bush was not ideologically consistent, but his curiosity and instincts made him extraordinarily capable at managing the complexities of ending the cold war.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's abilities, consider more specific synonyms like "skilled", "proficient", or "adept" to provide a richer description.

Common error

Avoid using "at" after "capable". The correct preposition is "of". For instance, say "She is capable of handling the project" not "She is capable at handling the project".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capable at" functions as an adjectival phrase intended to describe someone's ability or competence. However, it's grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms that the correct form is "capable of".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

27%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "capable at" appears frequently in various sources, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "capable of". As Ludwig AI indicates, using "capable of" ensures proper grammar and clarity. While "capable at" is commonly found in News & Media, its incorrectness diminishes its effectiveness. Remember to use "capable of" to maintain grammatical accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of

Uses the correct preposition "of" instead of "at" to express capability.

skilled at

Emphasizes expertise and proficiency in a particular area.

proficient in

Highlights competence and mastery in a specific skill or field.

adept in

Suggests a natural talent and skillfulness.

competent in

Focuses on having the necessary ability and qualification.

effective at

Highlights the ability to produce a desired result or outcome.

talented in

Emphasizes innate ability and natural aptitude.

good at

A simpler way to express competence in a particular activity.

able to

Indicates the general ability or power to do something.

qualified to

Highlights the formal certification or training for a specific task.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say someone is capable?

The correct way to express someone's capability is to use "capable of". For example, "She is capable of doing the job".

Which preposition should I use with "capable", "at" or "of"?

Always use "of" with "capable". The phrase "capable at" is grammatically incorrect. Use "capable of" instead.

What can I say instead of "capable at"?

Since "capable at" is incorrect, use "capable of". Other alternatives include "skilled at", "proficient in", or "adept in", depending on the context.

Is it ever correct to use "capable at" in a sentence?

No, "capable at" is not considered correct in standard English. The grammatically correct form is "capable of".