capable of improvement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capable of improvement" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that has the potential to become better or enhance their skills or qualities. Example: "The team's performance was adequate, but they are certainly capable of improvement with more practice and dedication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But if the government succeeds in reforming, our verdict on Mr Berlusconi would have to be tempered by the acknowledgment that even he is capable of improvement.

The Economist

God had evidently created humans in a vast cultural range, and yet, judging by the Christianized savages aboard, even the "lowest" races were capable of improvement.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Also, older women are wiser, better talkers, better at intrigue, and better at other things, too, "every Knack being by Practice capable of Improvement"; not to mention, "They are so grateful!!" Franklin counterfeited court documents, elegies, and even Scripture.

The New Yorker

On top of this, thinks the Treasury, the employment rate will rise, adding another tenth of a point.It might be surprising to anyone who has listened to ministers in recent years to learn that Britain's employment record is capable of improvement.

The Economist

Early pragmatists were often humanists; they saw the social environment as malleable, capable of improvement through human action and philosophic thought.

SEP

According to this, the intervention over factors capable of improvement, such as formation and training of all the professionals involved in the healing process, is compulsory.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Their favourites are still the good old petrol and diesel engines, which remain capable of further improvement.

The Economist

This also hardens copper and allows it to carry a sharp edge, the hammered edge being capable of further improvement on an abrasive stone.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The criminal justice response to domestic abuse, albeit far from perfect, has now improved and so long as all concerned keep a keen focus, it is capable of further improvement.

The Guardian - Opinion

Grieve said he supported the bill as it was necessary but hoped ministers would accept it was "capable of further improvement" and he trusted that "during its passage, it performs the equally important role of being seen as an upholder of freedom and liberty".

The Guardian

We construct irreversible deformation of a given reversible algorithm capable of dramatic improvement of sampling from known distribution.

Physica D: Nonlinear Phenomena

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "capable of improvement", consider the specific area or aspect you are referring to. Be precise in identifying what has the potential to be improved for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "capable of improvement" as a generic positive statement without backing it up with specific examples or areas where improvement is actually possible. This can sound insincere or misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capable of improvement" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating that something or someone has the potential to become better. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "capable of improvement" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that indicates the potential for positive change or development. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness. While not exceedingly common, it's found across diverse sources, including science, news media, and encyclopedias, with a neutral register making it widely applicable. When employing the phrase, ensure you provide specific context to avoid vagueness. Related phrases like "able to be improved" or "open to improvement" can be considered for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

able to be improved

Replaces "capable of" with "able to be", maintaining a similar level of formality.

having potential for improvement

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the existence of potential.

open to improvement

Highlights the receptiveness to change rather than inherent capability.

with room for improvement

Identifies that improvements are possible and desirable.

susceptible to improvement

Emphasizes vulnerability to change, implying a need for it.

able to be developed

Highlights the possibility of growth and progress.

can be enhanced

Uses "enhanced" as a synonym for improved, suggesting a specific type of betterment.

amenable to improvement

Indicates willingness to accept improvements, focusing on agreement.

can be refined

Focuses on the ability to make something more precise or polished.

subject to refinement

Similar to susceptible but emphasizes the process of refining.

FAQs

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

Use "capable of improvement" to describe something or someone that has the potential to get better. For example: "The student's skills are "capable of improvement" with more practice."

What are some alternatives to "capable of improvement"?

You can use alternatives such as "able to be improved", "open to improvement", or "having potential for improvement" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "capacity for improvement" instead of "capable of improvement"?

While "capacity for improvement" is grammatically correct, it refers more to the inherent ability or space for improvement, while "capable of improvement" suggests an active potential to improve. They can be used interchangeably in some contexts, but their nuances differ.

What's the difference between "susceptible to improvement" and "capable of improvement"?

"Susceptible to improvement" emphasizes a vulnerability or need for change, whereas "capable of improvement" highlights the positive potential and inherent ability to become better. They aren't always interchangeable.