capable then

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capable then" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something has the ability to do something at a specific time or under certain conditions. Example: "If we can gather enough resources, we will be capable then of completing the project ahead of schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

If you look like you're confident and capable, then people will assume that you are indeed confident and capable, regardless of what you actually say.

Stanford University

"The whistle-blower concept is there to insure that if anyone feels undue pressure, or sees undue pressure to return to play before they are physically capable, then we would find that out on a confidential basis and look into it," Goodell said.

The New York Times - Sports

SUSAN HOLLINGSHEAD: But if she is that good and she is really capable, then one of the things I would do if I were she is look for a really fast-growing industry and company where she has the opportunity to move up quickly.

Harvard Business Review

The list of such ongoing changes, almost all of them accelerated or initiated by the wars on terror and in Iraq, includes new bits of kit (such as Stryker combat vehicles), a reorganisation of the army into more capable "modular" brigades and a vast base realignment.Under Mr Rumsfeld, America's armed forces have become far more intelligent, agile and capable; then again, so they should have done.

The Economist

Ultimately, we might see this technology in netbooks as well since it's certainly more capable then the current Intel Atom chipset that is so prevalent.

TechCrunch

Users simply say what they want or need and how much they are willing to pay (if anything), others who are willing and capable then ask questions, negotiate and accept.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Fundamentally, it's an extension of what he started with Game Neverending, but they're far beyond what was capable back then, so the technology is finally matching the vision.

TechCrunch

At the time Notre Dame played those four, all but Purdue were ranked by the subjective polls, meaning that they were judged capable opponents then and have proven so since.

The New York Times - Sports

What might he have been capable of then?

The New Yorker

But I believe we must continue to reach out and find women who are capable and then prepare them for a difficult physical test".

The New York Times

To find untapped managerial talent outside traditional hierarchies, the researchers asked community members to nominate capable individuals, then administered a skills test assessing individuals' ability to create and manage local development projects.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "capable then" to clearly indicate that an ability or competence exists at a specific point in time, especially when contrasting with a previous state. For instance, "The team wasn't ready initially, but became capable then after intensive training".

Common error

Avoid mistaking "then" (referring to time) with "than" (used for comparisons). Ensure that "capable then" is used only when indicating a point in time when capability is present, not when comparing levels of capability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capable then" functions as an adjective-adverbial phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a state of being able or competent at a specific point in time. It specifies when the capability exists, as showcased in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "capable then" is a grammatically correct adjective-adverbial phrase that signifies the existence of an ability or competence at a specific point in time. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English. While not exceptionally common, its usage is clear and consistent across various reputable sources, predominantly in News & Media, Academia and Science. To ensure correct usage, it's important not to confuse "then" with "than". Alternatives such as "competent at that time" or "able at that point" offer similar meanings while varying the wording. The key takeaway is to use "capable then" when the temporal aspect of capability is relevant to the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

competent at that time

Replaces "capable" with "competent" and uses "at that time" to clarify the temporal aspect.

able at that point

Substitutes "capable" with "able" and "then" with "at that point", maintaining similar meaning.

equipped at the time

Focuses on being "equipped" with necessary resources or skills, instead of general capability.

prepared by that time

Emphasizes preparation as a prerequisite for capability at a specific time.

ready at that juncture

Uses more formal language, replacing "then" with "at that juncture".

in a position to at that moment

Highlights the state of being "in a position to" act, emphasizing readiness.

had the capacity at that stage

Replaces "capable" with "had the capacity" to convey a similar sense of ability.

sufficiently skilled at that moment

Focuses specifically on skill level at the particular time.

equal to the task by that time

Emphasizes that someone or something is "equal to the task", highlighting readiness.

up to it by that point

An idiomatic expression for being capable, with a slightly less formal tone.

FAQs

How can I use "capable then" in a sentence?

Use "capable then" to specify that someone or something possesses a certain ability or competence at a particular time. For example, "If the necessary resources are gathered, we will be "capable then" of completing the project on schedule".

What phrases are similar to "capable then"?

Similar phrases include "competent at that time", "able at that point", or "equipped at the time", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "capable then"?

Yes, "capable then" is grammatically correct. It is used to indicate that someone or something has the ability to do something at a specific time or under certain conditions. This usage is supported by Ludwig AI analysis.

How does the meaning of "capable then" change if I use "capable than"?

Using "capable than" is incorrect because "than" is used for comparisons, whereas "then" refers to a specific time. The correct usage, "capable then", indicates ability at a particular point in time, while "capable than" is grammatically nonsensical.