capable of leading

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capable of leading" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to emphasize that someone or something is able to lead or influence others. For example, you could say: "She was a natural leader, capable of leading her team to great success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They're entirely capable of leading horses to water," Cashman said.

The New York Times - Sports

I am quite capable of leading my own care.

The Guardian

No one here is capable of leading us home".

The Guardian

No other player is capable of leading the line.

Independent

Vick is capable of leading drives by passing or running the ball.

The New York Times - Sports

"They are all amazingly talented, any of them are capable of leading".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He is definitely capable of leading Tampa Bay far in the playoffs.

The New York Times - Sports

But Brian was barely capable of leading himself, never mind a factionalised family business.

The Guardian - Music

We have become a grown up party capable of leading a grown up nation.

The Guardian

They have mostly sat dumbly, showing no sign of being capable of leading the country.

The Economist

"It's become obvious that Tepco is not at all capable of leading the cleanup," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's leadership potential, use "capable of leading" to convey confidence in their ability to guide and influence.

Common error

Avoid using "capable of leading" when evidence of leadership is lacking. Ensure the context supports the claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capable of leading" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe someone or something possessing the potential or skills to guide or direct others. Ludwig examples demonstrate it describes people or organizations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

19%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "capable of leading" is a versatile phrase for expressing someone's potential or demonstrated ability to guide and influence others. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically sound and widely used. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, but also sees use in academic and scientific contexts. To enhance your writing, use this phrase when conveying confidence in leadership abilities, while avoiding overstatement. Consider alternatives such as "able to guide" or "fit to command" to tailor your language to specific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has the potential to lead

Focuses on the future possibility of leadership.

demonstrates leadership ability

Highlights the proven capabilities to lead.

able to guide

Focuses on the guiding aspect of leadership, less formal.

qualified to direct

Highlights the qualifications needed for leadership, more formal.

competent to manage

Focuses on the managerial skills needed for leadership.

fit to command

Emphasizes authority and control, more formal.

ready to take charge

Highlights preparedness and willingness to lead.

equipped to steer

Emphasizes guidance and direction, slightly less formal.

poised to head

Emphasizes readiness and anticipation for leadership.

shows leadership qualities

Highlights the inherent traits that make someone suitable for leading

FAQs

How to use "capable of leading" in a sentence?

You can use "capable of leading" to describe someone's potential or demonstrated ability to guide others. For example, "She is "has the potential to lead" the team to success."

What can I say instead of "capable of leading"?

You can use alternatives like "able to guide", "qualified to direct", or "fit to command depending on the context".

Which is correct, "capable of leading" or "ability to lead"?

"Capable of leading" describes someone who possesses the qualities to lead, while "ability to lead" refers to the skill or talent itself. They are both grammatically correct but have slightly different meanings.

What's the difference between "capable of leading" and "leadership qualities"?

"Capable of leading" suggests that someone possesses all the necessary skills to lead, while "shows leadership qualities" implies that they exhibit some, but not necessarily all, of the traits needed for leadership.