capacity

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "capacity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the potential or maximum amount that something can contain, or someone's ability or aptitude for doing something. For example: "The capacity of the stadium is 48,000 people."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Because that's the maximum capacity of the Olympic stadium.

The Guardian - Opinion

For someone who woke up at 1.30am in Germany, her capacity for exuberant chatter is remarkable.

The Guardian - Music

The generation who grew up surrounded by acknowledgements that they had dignity, bravery and the capacity for greatness were, unsurprisingly, nifty voters - the first chance they got, they elected a government which promised to reward their sacrifices with a welfare state.

The Guardian

It is because those three systems did not work that Britain was plunged into crisis on such a scale, with a vast overhang of private debt and too little productive capacity.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nevertheless, my health has deteriorated to the point that only 20% of my lungs now work and my lung capacity has shrunk to less than the size of two Coke cans.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Then Danny Alexander drops in in his capacity of secretary of state for Scotland and somewhere between the two meetings, the impression is given that they want to go further than the existing Scotland Act".

The Guardian

National Grid has moved to reassure households and businesses it will have enough power supply even in a cold winter after a spate of fires and power plant closures helped to cut spare capacity to an eight-year low.

The Guardian - Business

National Grid announced it was close to signing up three power stations to help fill the gap left by closures, breakdowns and delays, and said the cost to consumers of paying for extra capacity and for companies to adjust their consumption if necessary will be about £1 per household.

The Guardian - Business

Only if that capacity were used up would National Grid be forced to consider dimming lights, telling companies to reduce energy use or other drastic measures, Fletcher said.

The Guardian - Business

Several port expansions are planned to facilitate this, although BHP has pulled out of one project amid concerns that Queensland already has a surplus of port capacity.

The Guardian

"Syria is where all the problems, and the absence of solutions, of modern foreign policy come together – so much so that the human consequences are losing their capacity to shock," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing physical objects, be specific about the units of measurement for "capacity" (e.g., liters, gallons, cubic meters) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Don't use "capacity" when you mean "capability". "Capacity" refers to the amount something can hold or produce, while "capability" refers to the ability to do something. For example, a battery has a certain charge capacity, while a person has certain capabilities.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "capacity" is as a noun. It refers to the ability to hold something, the maximum amount that can be contained, or the ability to perform a task. Ludwig shows various examples of its usage in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "capacity" is a noun with several meanings, primarily revolving around the ability to hold, contain, or perform. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and very commonly used. It appears most frequently in news and media sources, but also holds relevance in formal business and scientific contexts. Understanding its different uses, from physical volume to inherent ability, is key to effective communication. Be careful not to confuse "capacity" with similar words such as "capability".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capability

Focuses on the ability to perform a task, similar to "capacity" when referring to potential.

potential

Emphasizes the possibility of development or achievement, a future-oriented aspect of "capacity".

volume

Refers specifically to the amount of space something occupies, differing from "capacity" which can also refer to ability.

room

Indicates available space, similar to one sense of "capacity".

limit

Indicates the maximum amount or extent allowed, the boundary of "capacity".

scope

Refers to the extent or range of something, related to "capacity" in terms of potential reach.

extent

Describes the range or degree to which something reaches, overlapping with "capacity" in terms of scope.

size

Denotes the physical dimensions of something, akin to "capacity" when measuring volume.

magnitude

Highlights the greatness or extent of something, comparable to a large "capacity".

amplitude

Indicates the maximum extent of a vibration or oscillation, a more technical sense of "capacity".

FAQs

How can I use "capacity" in a sentence?

You can use "capacity" to refer to the maximum amount something can contain, as in "The stadium has a seating capacity of 50,000". It can also refer to someone's ability, such as "She has the capacity to learn quickly".

What's the difference between "capacity" and "capability"?

"Capacity" generally refers to the potential to hold or produce something, while "capability" refers to the ability to perform a task or function. For example, a container has a capacity, but a person has capabilities.

What are some synonyms for "capacity"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms such as "volume", "potential", "ability", or "scope" as alternatives to "capacity".

Is it correct to say "full capacity" or "at capacity"?

Yes, both phrases are correct. "Full capacity" describes when something is holding or producing the maximum amount, while "at capacity" indicates that something is currently operating at its maximum ability.