capacity of doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'capacity of doing' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing somebody or something's capacity for action. For example, 'The student had a great capacity of doing work, completing her assignments ahead of the deadline.'.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

They establish a division of moral labor, necessary because our capacity of doing good is limited by our resources and circumstances.

SEP

As Green maintained in his famous lecture, 'Liberal Legislation and Freedom of Contract': "When we speak of freedom as something to be highly prized, we mean 'a positive power or capacity of doing or enjoying something worth doing".

City, Territory and Architecture

They believed that ELT learners need to be trained in different aspects such as self-rating and peer-rating to find the capacity of doing self-assessment and peer-assessment.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

Capacity of doing this needs to be built and requires a multidimensional approach including field demonstrations as well as a proper dissemination of information using different information and communication technology tools.

Agricultural and Food Economics

Capacity of doing this needs to be built at all level and requires a multidimensional approach including field demonstrations as well as a proper dissemination of information using different information and communication technology tools.

Agricultural and Food Economics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Admittedly, those in a position to measure his full capacity proved wary of doing so, and the fact that he never left British soil became a legitimate token of their reluctance to take him out of a comfort zone.

Independent

Energy is usually and most simply defined as the equivalent of or capacity for doing work.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Of the capacity to do this kind of pattern recognition, translation, and generation for any sufficiently broad set of data, not just images?

TechCrunch

While their Castle Park home, which has a capacity of 5,000, did not meet the minimum standards, their alternate ground, Doncaster Rovers' Keepmoat Stadium, did.

The Guardian - Sport

Ms. St. Martin said that although a small number of pumps were out of service, "these pump stations are built with redundancy" and the stations have plenty of capacity to do the job.

The New York Times

"It suggests there is a lot of capacity to do better within schools," she said.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "capacity of doing", ensure the verb following "of" is in its gerund form (e.g., "doing", "creating", "managing") to maintain grammatical correctness. For example, "The project demonstrates the capacity of doing great things".

Common error

A common mistake is to use the infinitive form of the verb instead of the gerund. Avoid saying "capacity of to do"; instead, use "capacity of doing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capacity of doing" functions as a noun phrase that indicates the ability or potential to perform a specific action. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it is utilized to describe an entity's inherent or developed ability to carry out a task.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "capacity of doing" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the ability or potential to perform an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for written English and commonly found in science and media contexts. While interchangeable with phrases like "ability to do" or "potential for doing", it's crucial to use the gerund form of the verb to maintain grammatical correctness. While not overly common, its usage is clear and its versatility makes it suitable for diverse communication needs. This phrase offers a specific way to describe capabilities, with nuances that set it apart from its alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capability of doing

Substitutes "capacity" with "capability", a synonym with a slightly more technical connotation.

power of doing

Replaces "capacity" with "power", emphasizing the strength or ability to perform an action.

ability to do

Simplifies the phrase by using "ability" and an infinitive verb form, making it more direct.

potential for doing

Replaces "capacity" with "potential", focusing on the possibility rather than the current ability.

aptitude for doing

Uses "aptitude" to highlight a natural talent or inclination towards the action.

competence in doing

Emphasizes the necessary skills and knowledge to perform the action effectively.

skill in doing

Focuses on expertise and proficiency in performing the action.

facility in doing

Highlights ease and smoothness in performing the action.

knack for doing

Indicates a special and inherent ability or talent for the action.

room for doing

Suggests available scope or opportunity to perform the action.

FAQs

How can I use "capacity of doing" in a sentence?

You can use "capacity of doing" to describe the ability or potential to perform a specific action. For instance, "The organization demonstrated the "capacity of doing" good in the community".

What are some alternatives to "capacity of doing"?

Alternatives include "ability to do", "potential for doing", or "capability of doing", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "capacity to do" instead of "capacity of doing"?

While "capacity of doing" emphasizes the action itself, "capacity to do" focuses more on the potential or ability. Both can be correct, but the best choice depends on the context.

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

"Capacity of doing" and "capability of doing" are often used interchangeably, but "capacity" can imply a broader, more inherent potential, while "capability" might suggest developed or demonstrated skill.