capable of affecting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capable of affecting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone or something that has the ability to influence or change a situation or outcome. Example: "The new policy is capable of affecting the overall productivity of the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We have become geological agents, capable of affecting and even destroying nature as a whole.

The Guardian - Opinion

A prop isn't just capable of affecting subtle changes in how we view a character – it can help the actor get in to the role.

The Guardian

Their coaches — Calhoun, Roy Williams and Jim Boeheim — have national titles and sideline auras that might seem capable of affecting calls.

The New York Times - Sports

The researchers also identified two groups of genes that are capable of affecting virulence and whose expression patterns are indicative of the previous host species they inhabited.

University of California, Berkeley

A novel type of artificial cell-surface receptor capable of affecting enzymic activity was designed by employing steroidal moiety.

Journal of Molecular Catalysis B: Enzymatic

The clinical learning environment is fundamental to nursing education paths, capable of affecting learning processes and outcomes.

International Journal of Nursing Studies

Thus, acid deposition is capable of affecting landscapes and the living things that reside within them even when precipitation is not occurring.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The salt water view holds shifts in demand responsible for fluctuations and thinks government policies (at least monetary policy) is capable of affecting demand.

The New York Times

He added: "I am satisfied that in the wrong hands it was capable of affecting the operational effectiveness of nuclear submarines".

Independent

Sulfur oxyanions such as bisulfites and metabisulfites have been found to be potential anions capable of affecting the desired wettability change without the risk associated with sulfates.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

After all this time, and all those dismal appointments, TFC might actually have a manager capable of affecting performances in the way managers at other functioning teams are meant to.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider whether "capable of affecting" accurately reflects the degree of influence; alternatives might be more suitable if the influence is guaranteed or minimal.

Common error

Avoid using "capable of affecting" when the actual impact is negligible or speculative. Ensure there's a reasonable basis for suggesting a potential effect to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capable of affecting" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, indicating its potential or ability to influence something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

30%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "capable of affecting" is a versatile phrase used to denote the potential or ability to influence something. Ludwig AI validates that it's grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts. The phrase is seen most frequently in scientific, news, and academic writings. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the level of influence and avoid overstating the potential impact. Consider alternatives like "able to influence" or "has the potential to impact" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

able to influence

Focuses on the direct act of influencing, rather than the potential.

has the potential to impact

Highlights the possibility of an impact, emphasizing potential over current ability.

able to alter

Emphasizes the ability to change something specifically.

in a position to influence

Stresses the favorable circumstances that allow for influence.

with the power to change

Highlights the power dynamic and the capacity to cause change.

has an effect on

Directly states that something has a consequence on something else.

can modify

Focuses on the ability to make alterations or adjustments.

liable to impact

Indicates a probability or tendency to affect something.

likely to influence

Implies a high probability of influence.

susceptible to changing

Highlights the vulnerability or receptiveness to change.

FAQs

How can I use "capable of affecting" in a sentence?

You can use "capable of affecting" to describe something that has the ability to influence or change a situation. For example: "The new policy is "capable of affecting" the overall productivity of the team."

What are some alternatives to "capable of affecting"?

You can use alternatives like "able to influence", "has the potential to impact", or "likely to influence" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "capable of affecting" or simply "affects"?

"Capable of affecting" indicates a potential or ability to influence, while "affects" indicates a current or ongoing influence. The best choice depends on whether you are describing a potential or an actual effect.

What is the difference between "capable of affecting" and "susceptible to"?

"Capable of affecting" means having the power to influence something, while "susceptible to" means being likely to be affected by something. They describe opposite directions of influence.