capable of extending

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capable of extending" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the ability of something to reach out, increase, or expand in some way. Example: "The new software is capable of extending its functionality through various plugins."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As presently constructed, they would be capable of extending the saga for another chapter or two.

The New York Times - Sports

"In the grandest sense, I think these devices are capable of extending your senses".

The Economist

And once robots become mobile they will be increasingly capable of extending the reach of humans or replacing them.

The New York Times - Tech

This knowledge is important in the design of pH responsive microparticles capable of extending drug release in the gastrointestinal tract.

European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Lille still looked capable of extending their lead and Moussilou ought to have done so instead of heading over from seven yards.

The Guardian - Sport

Stamina mode is capable of extending the standby battery life by around 50 to 75%, should you need to be away from a charger for longer periods.

The Guardian - Tech

With this understanding, researchers aim to develop new medical strategies capable of extending the capacity for growth and healing present in embryos into later stages of life.

Stanford University

A potentially promising approach to treating Alzheimer's disease has been developed by researchers studying sirtuin, a protein thought capable of extending lifespan in laboratory animals.

The New York Times

And the buses will not be capable of extending green traffic lights, an advanced feature used by other cities to help lollygagging buses make it through intersections.

The New York Times

The numerical results are found very encouraging, and the equipment is capable of extending the PV application potential in the domestic sector.

Solar Energy

This opens up the possibility of a new OSL dating procedure capable of extending the age range by almost an order of magnitude.

Radiation Measurements

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For formal writing, pair "capable of extending" with robust evidence and authoritative sources to enhance credibility.

Common error

While "capable of extending" is grammatically correct, avoid using it excessively in informal settings where simpler alternatives like "can extend" or "able to extend" may be more appropriate. Choose vocabulary based on the register.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capable of extending" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe its ability to prolong, expand, or increase something. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig show this in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

38%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "capable of extending" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to describe the potential or ability to prolong, expand, or increase something. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly in science, news, and academic writing. While common, it's important to consider the context and choose simpler alternatives like "able to extend" for more informal settings. Remember to clearly define what is being extended to avoid ambiguity. The phrase finds frequent usage across authoritative sources, indicating its reliability and consistent application in diverse domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of prolonging

Substitutes "extending" with "prolonging", which specifically refers to lengthening the duration of something.

able to prolong

Replaces "capable of" with "able to", a more direct synonym, and "extending" with "prolong", focusing on duration.

able to expand

Substitutes "extend" with "expand", which emphasizes increasing the size or scope.

able to increase

Uses "increase" instead of "extend", focusing on quantitative growth.

capable of increasing

Replaces extend with increase, which emphasizes quantitative growth, similar to the original phrase.

has the ability to extend

Rephrases "capable of" as "has the ability to", adding emphasis on the inherent capability.

able to augment

Replaces extend with augment, indicating an increase or enhancement, often implying addition.

has the potential to extend

Emphasizes the possibility or likelihood of extending, rather than a definite capability.

in a position to extend

Conveys the idea of being ready or prepared to extend something.

able to amplify

Uses amplify in place of extend, suggesting an increase in magnitude or intensity.

FAQs

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

You can use "capable of extending" to describe something that has the ability to prolong, expand, or increase something. For example, "The new software is "capable of extending" its functionality through various plugins".

What are some alternatives to "capable of extending"?

Alternatives include phrases like "able to prolong", "able to expand", or "has the ability to extend", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "capable to extend" instead of "capable of extending"?

No, the correct phrasing is "capable of extending". The preposition "of" is required after "capable" to properly connect it to the gerund "extending".

What's the difference between "capable of extending" and "likely to extend"?

"Capable of extending" implies a potential or ability to extend something, whereas "likely to extend" suggests a higher probability or expectation that something will be extended. The former focuses on capability, while the latter focuses on probability.