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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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capable of conscious

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capable of conscious" is not correct in English.
It should be "capable of consciousness." You can use it when discussing the ability of an entity to have awareness or perception. Example: "The researchers are studying whether certain animals are capable of consciousness."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Consider the argument by the Yale psychology professor Paul Bloom that we do not have free will, but since we are capable of conscious rational deliberation, so are responsible for our actions.

News & Media

The New York Times

He added that, in the case of Owen's vegetative patient who imagined playing tennis, it's impossible to know whether she reported the event to herself which would suggest that she is capable of conscious thought or whether, as in the case of the blindsight and neglect patients, she had no subjective awareness of the experience.

News & Media

The New Yorker

He added that, in the case of Owen's vegetative patient who imagined playing tennis, it's impossible to know whether she reported the event to herself — which would suggest that she is capable of conscious thought — or whether, as in the case of the blindsight and neglect patients, she had no subjective awareness of the experience.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Indeed, some of the most interesting examples of biological altruism are found among creatures that are (presumably) not capable of conscious thought at all, e.g. insects.

Science

SEP

But for the present purposes of discussion, conceptualism is the two-part thesis (C1) that all rational human conscious objective representational content is strictly determined by conceptual capacities alone, and (C2) that non-rational human or non-human animals are not capable of conscious objective representation.

Science

SEP

Although in human form the soul is capable of conscious divinity, all the impressions that it has gathered during evolution are illusory ones, creating a barrier for the soul to know itself.

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Interestingly, we also observed these modulations among neurons recorded in the LPFC without any explicit mnemonic demands on the animal and for the first time in a task capable of disentangling conscious visual perception from sensory input.

Science & Research

Nature

Such patients cannot recognize objects or shapes, and may be capable of little conscious visual experience; but their sensorimotor abilities remain largely intact.

Science

SEP

The prevalence of cancer suggests that public awareness should be significantly heightened in order for everyday citizens to be well informed and capable of making conscious decisions in regard to their health.

Subject of conscious states.

Science

SEP

But as those who heard his deadening speech nominating Michael Dukakis at the 1988 Democratic National Convention in Atlanta well know, he is also capable of numbing, self-conscious garrulity.

News & Media

The New York Times
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to the ability to experience consciousness, use the grammatically correct phrase "capable of consciousness" instead of "capable of conscious". This ensures clarity and avoids misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using the adjective "conscious" directly after "capable of". Instead, use the noun "consciousness" to correctly indicate the capacity for awareness or perception.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase primarily functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun (often implied), describing something that possesses the potential for awareness. As Ludwig AI notes, the correct form is "capable of consciousness."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "capable of conscious" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "capable of consciousness". While this phrase appears in various sources, including news and scientific articles, it's crucial to use the correct grammatical form. Ludwig AI highlights that the proper usage involves the noun "consciousness" rather than the adjective "conscious". Remember to consider alternative phrases like "able to be conscious" or "having the capacity for consciousness" to improve clarity and correctness. Usage leans towards formal and scientific contexts when discussing sentience and awareness.

FAQs

How to properly use "capable of consciousness" in a sentence?

Use "capable of consciousness" when describing an entity's ability to have awareness. For example, "Researchers are investigating whether certain animals are "capable of consciousness"".

What's the correct phrase: "capable of conscious" or "capable of consciousness"?

"Capable of consciousness" is grammatically correct. "Capable of conscious" is not standard English. Use the noun form "consciousness" after "capable of".

Are there alternatives to saying "capable of consciousness"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "able to be conscious", "having the capacity for consciousness", or "capable of awareness" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "capable of consciousness"?

The phrase "capable of consciousness" is most appropriate in philosophical, scientific, or theoretical contexts when discussing the nature of awareness, sentience, or cognitive abilities. It is often used in discussions about animals, artificial intelligence, or altered states of mind.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: