capable of applying

USAGE SUMMARY

"capable of applying" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you need to express a person's potential to apply a specific skill or knowledge. For example: "The new hire is highly educated and is capable of applying her advanced degree to our department's operations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Furniss says he has never seen a swimmer capable of applying herself "as religiously" as Adlington.

The Guardian - Sport

"We hope that, after we show that we are capable of applying practical solutions, people will be convinced," he said.

The New Yorker

Quite simply, Russia lacks institutions and officials capable of applying large quantities of money honestly and efficiently.

The Economist

Starters Chris Gamble and Captain Munnerlyn are capable of applying the physical jams that help make this mission easier, but neither is a star.

The New York Times

It echoes correspondence released last year in which a minister wrote to the prince's office requesting his consent to a new planning bill because it was "capable of applying to... [the] Prince of Wales' private interests".

The Guardian

"We have the capacity to raid this base, we are capable of applying a military solution, but this would cost a lot of blood so we continue to negotiate," said Abdel A'al.

The Guardian

Furniss says he has never seen a swimmer capable of applying herself "as religiously" as Adlington – it's her ability to cope with the pain, he says, that will always separate her from the also-rans.

The Guardian - Sport

Scientific and technical advances were clearly critical to the revolution, yet growth itself was largely driven by the slow transformation of society into a geography capable of applying old technologies at massive scale.

The Economist

Why? Defense officials tell me in classic Pentagonese that we are already "reconfiguring our footprint" -- that is, reviewing deployment of our troops globally to make us capable of applying mobile force anywhere rather than to sit in place to meet any specific threat.

The New York Times

Documents obtained by the Guardian reveal that in 2008 Lady Andrews, a Labour communities minister, wrote to Sir Michael Peat, his private secretary, seeking Prince Charles's consent to law changes that would "affect the interests of the Duchy of Cornwall" and were "capable of applying... [to the] Prince of Wales' private interests".

The Guardian

Turning to changes to regional planning law, she spelled out proposed new regional planning strategies and warned Charles that this section of the bill "is capable of applying to the Crown and the Queen and Prince of Wales' private interests and therefore that consent is required".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person's abilities, use "capable of applying" to emphasize their potential to use knowledge or skills actively. For example: "She is capable of applying her knowledge to solve complex problems."

Common error

While "capable of applying" is generally correct, avoid overusing it in informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "can apply" or "able to use" may be more appropriate for casual communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capable of applying" functions as an adjective phrase that describes the ability or potential to use a skill, knowledge, or tool effectively. It modifies a noun to indicate competence in applying something, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

27%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "capable of applying" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express someone's potential or ability to use a specific skill or knowledge. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts, including scientific, news, and formal business settings. While frequently used, it's advisable to consider the formality of the context and opt for simpler alternatives like "able to apply" in casual communication. Remember, this phrase highlights potential competence, and the specific domain of application should be clearly specified to avoid ambiguity. With an expert rating of 4.5, "capable of applying" stands as a reliable and effective choice for expressing competence and potential in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

able to implement

Focuses on the practical ability to put something into effect.

qualified to put into practice

Emphasizes having the necessary qualifications to apply something.

equipped to utilize

Highlights the readiness and necessary tools to make use of something.

competent to employ

Emphasizes the skill and suitability for using something.

proficient in the use of

Indicates expertise and skill in using a specific method or tool.

fit to execute

Emphasizes the suitability to apply or carry out a task or process.

has the aptitude to administer

Stresses a natural talent and fitness to manage or apply something.

prepared to exercise

Indicates readiness and willingness to use or apply something.

in a position to exert

Highlights the capability and authority to apply influence or force.

has what it takes to operate

Highlights having the necessary qualities and abilities to apply something successfully.

FAQs

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

You can use "capable of applying" to describe someone's ability to use a skill or knowledge effectively. For example: "The software is "capable of applying" complex algorithms to process data quickly."

What are some alternatives to "capable of applying"?

Alternatives include "able to implement", "equipped to utilize", or "qualified to put into practice", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "capable of applying" or "able to apply"?

"Capable of applying" and "able to apply" are both grammatically correct, but "capable of applying" often suggests a higher degree of skill or potential, whereas "able to apply" may indicate a more basic ability.

What's the difference between "capable of applying" and "responsible for applying"?

"Capable of applying" indicates the ability to use something effectively, while "responsible for applying" indicates a duty or obligation to use it. For example, a scientist might be "capable of applying" a new technique, while a manager might be responsible for applying company policies.