capable of being

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'capable of being' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the capability of something or someone to do or to be something. For example: "This new material is capable of being produced in large quantities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Capable of being locked out.

Cornell University

Less capable of being leaders?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Are we capable of being truthful?

The Guardian - Books

Practicable means capable of being done within existing constraints.

Cornell University

accessible adj. 1. (of an object) capable of being referenced.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

2). Demands should be capable of being satisfied.

University of California, Berkeley

But it's also capable of being an epidemic disease.

Yale University

d) capable of being converted to kinetic energy.

Yale University

"We're all capable of being many different things," Terry says.

The Guardian

People are still capable of being both angels and pigs.

The New York Times

This team is capable of being more ruthless than this.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "capable of being" to express potential or inherent ability. For instance, "The system is capable of being upgraded" indicates the system's design allows for upgrades.

Common error

Avoid using "capable of being" when a simpler adjective conveys the same meaning. Instead of "The door is capable of being opened", just say "The door is openable."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capable of being" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe its potential or inherent ability to exist in a particular state or undergo a specific action, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

32%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "capable of being" serves as an adjective phrase denoting potential or inherent ability. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is grammatically correct and widely applicable across diverse contexts, as displayed by many examples. While predominantly found in "News & Media", "Academia", and "Science", it maintains a neutral to formal register. When writing, remember that while this phrase is widely accepted and completely correct, sometimes, in order to avoid sounding unnatural, you could consider simplifying your sentences and using adjectives that convey more directly the potential or inherent ability of something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

able to be

Emphasizes a general ability or possibility.

possible to be

Highlights the feasibility or likelihood of something occurring.

prone to being

Similar to 'liable to be', but often used for undesirable outcomes.

liable to be

Suggests a tendency or susceptibility towards a particular outcome.

susceptible to being

Highlights vulnerability or a lack of resistance.

subject to being

Indicates that something is conditional or contingent upon something else.

fit to be

Implies suitability or qualification for a specific purpose or role.

open to being

Implies a willingness or receptiveness to a particular experience or state.

eligible to be

Indicates that requirements are met, and action is possible.

designed to be

Focuses on intentional design or purpose for a particular function.

FAQs

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

Use "capable of being" to describe something that has the potential or ability to be in a certain state or to perform a specific action. For example, "The software is "capable of being" updated automatically".

What are some alternatives to "capable of being"?

Alternatives include "able to be", "possible to be", or simply using an adjective that conveys the potential directly, depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "capable of being" and "able to be"?

While similar, "capable of being" often implies an inherent potential or design feature, whereas "able to be" might suggest a more general ability or possibility. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When should I use "capable of being" instead of a simpler adjective?

Use "capable of being" when you want to emphasize the potential or inherent ability of something to be in a certain state or condition, especially when that state or condition is a result of design or inherent properties. For example, the equipment is "capable of being" repaired on site.