capable of grasping

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capable of grasping" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's ability to understand or comprehend something, often in a cognitive or intellectual context. Example: "She is capable of grasping complex concepts quickly, which makes her an excellent student."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

I would still be capable of grasping and expressing the poig­nancy of my situation.

The Guardian

Mark Van Doren believed that young people were intuitively capable of grasping even the most complex literature.

The New York Times

She believed that dwelling on the issue would leave us less capable of grasping the opportunities that would come to us once the walls of segregation fell.

The New York Times

Where lesser politicians might have been capable of grasping the interests of this emerging demographic, Jackson, a product of the Carolina hinterlands, understood their identity.

The New Yorker

F.W.J. Schelling (1775 1854), Hegel's successor at the University of Berlin, emphatically rejected the idea that reason was capable of grasping reality.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In all primates except humans, the hallux diverges from the other toes and together with them forms a pincer capable of grasping objects such as branches.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

In such reflection, thought seems capable of immediately grasping itself as a thinking subject and therefore of possessing a certain kind of immediate and foundational knowledge.

SEP

Few of them actually included interaction analysis and other similar approaches capable to grasp the effect of interactions and across-genome combinations, rather then the main effect of single markers or (despite more importantly) the major contribution of a specific haplotype in a locus[26], [27], [28].

Plosone

Capable of providing grasping forces in multiple directions, making it possible for CTSR Hand to grasp objects with different sizes, shapes and directions.

Robotics and Biomimetics

Almécija says that a hand capable of precision grasping was "one of the earliest adaptations" among members of the human line, possibly because it made our ancestors better at gathering a wider variety of foods, and not originally because it made them better toolmakers.

Science Magazine

This living hand, now warm and capable Of earnest grasping, would, if it were cold And in the icy silence of the tomb, So haunt thy days and chill thy dreaming nights That thou would wish thine own heart dry of blood So in my veins red life might stream again, And thou be conscience-calmed--see here it is I hold it towards you.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "capable of grasping" when you want to emphasize someone's potential or inherent ability to understand complex ideas or physical objects. It suggests a built-in capacity.

Common error

Avoid using "capable of grasping" in overly simplistic situations where words like "understand" or "hold" would suffice. It can sound unnecessarily formal or pretentious in casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capable of grasping" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe its ability to understand or physically hold something. Ludwig's examples showcase its usage in diverse contexts, highlighting its role in expressing potential or current abilities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "capable of grasping" is a versatile adjective phrase that signifies the ability to understand or physically hold something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. While simpler alternatives exist, this phrase lends a touch of formality and precision to writing, making it suitable for academic, scientific, and professional contexts. Analysis of the provided sources reveals that "capable of grasping" is commonly found in news articles, scientific publications, and encyclopedias, highlighting its relevance across diverse domains. Though not suitable for casual conversation, mastering the use of "capable of grasping" allows writers to express concepts with clarity and nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

able to comprehend

Focuses on understanding rather than physical action.

able to understand

Directly expresses the ability to understand.

competent in grasping

Emphasizes competence in understanding.

adept at grasping

Highlights skillfulness in understanding.

skilled at grasping

Similar to 'adept at', emphasizing skill.

able to seize

Focuses more on physical action of taking hold.

able to clutch

Implies a tighter, more forceful grip.

able to grip

Emphasizes a firm hold.

able to seize upon

Implies understanding and taking advantage of an opportunity.

able to apprehend

Formal alternative emphasizing mental understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "capable of grasping" to describe someone's ability to understand complex concepts, as in "She is "capable of grasping" abstract ideas quickly". It can also refer to the physical ability to hold something.

What's a simpler way to say "capable of grasping"?

Alternatives include "able to understand", "able to comprehend", or simply "able to hold", depending on the context.

Is "capable of grasping" formal or informal?

"Capable of grasping" is generally considered more formal than simpler alternatives like "understand" or "hold". It's suitable for academic, professional, or technical writing.

What's the difference between "capable of grasping" and "able to grasp"?

While similar, "capable of grasping" suggests an inherent potential or capacity, whereas "able to grasp" implies a current ability. For example, "The child is "capable of grasping" complex math concepts" suggests potential, while "The child is "able to grasp" the toy" indicates a present ability.