capacity to become

USAGE SUMMARY

"capacity to become" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means the ability or potential to develop into something in the future. Example: "With hard work and determination, anyone has the capacity to become successful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Wal-Mart, Mr. Werbach said, has the capacity to become "the nation's largest environmental group".

The New York Times

And they have the capacity to become any cell type in the body.

The New Yorker

The gas from the field has the "capacity to become our biggest export," Mr. Costello said.

The New York Times

You have been admitted to this University because you have the capacity to become leaders.

Princeton University

"I think this team has the capacity to become the world's best," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Brent Stanton provides experience, and the Merrett brothers, Zach and Jackson, have the capacity to become a huge double act.

The Guardian - Sport

"What happens in the use of contraception, rather than embracing us totally as God made the other, with the masculine capacity to become a dad, or the feminine capacity to become a mom, we reject that paternal and maternal leaning".

The New York Times

When partially completed work sits idle, waiting for capacity to become available, the duration of the overall project will grow.

Harvard Business Review

There will be questions over whether local councils, after years of spending cuts, have the skills or capacity to become such central figures in the planning process.

The Guardian

Butler told Di Natale he had been excluded from the leaders' debate "because you do not have the capacity to become the PM after the federal election".

The Guardian

What kind of man would revel in the folds and escarpments of the body, in the human capacity to become half-landscape?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "capacity to become" when emphasizing the potential for future development or transformation, especially when discussing inherent qualities or abilities.

Common error

Avoid using "capacity to become" when describing a state that is already achieved or fixed. The phrase implies potential and should be reserved for situations involving future development or change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capacity to become" functions as a connector phrase indicating purpose or potential. It links a subject with its future state, highlighting its inherent ability to develop or transform, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "capacity to become" is a versatile expression used to convey the potential for future development or transformation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used. It commonly appears in News & Media, Science and Academia. When using this phrase, ensure that the context aligns with the idea of potential, avoiding its use when describing already achieved states. Alternatives such as "potential to evolve into" or "ability to transform into" can offer subtle shifts in meaning. Remembering these nuances will enable a more precise and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

likelihood of becoming

Focuses on the probability that something will develop into something else.

capability to develop into

Highlights the inherent ability to grow and mature into something specific.

ability to transform into

Emphasizes a complete change of form or nature.

potential to evolve into

Focuses on the evolutionary aspect of becoming, highlighting a gradual change.

prospect of turning into

Highlights the possibility or likelihood of a future transformation.

power to change into

Stresses the inherent force or authority to undergo transformation.

tendency to develop into

Indicates an inherent inclination or predisposition to evolve in a certain direction.

aptitude to grow into

Suggests a natural inclination or suitability for developing into something.

scope for evolving into

Focuses on the extent or range of possibilities for development.

room to mature into

Implies sufficient space or opportunity for full development.

FAQs

How can I use "capacity to become" in a sentence?

Use "capacity to become" to describe something's potential for future development. For example: "The student has the capacity to become a successful doctor."

What are some alternatives to "capacity to become"?

You can use alternatives like "potential to evolve into", "ability to transform into", or "capability to develop into" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "capacity of becoming" instead of "capacity to become"?

While "capacity of becoming" might be understood, "capacity to become" is the more standard and grammatically correct phrasing. The "to" form indicates purpose or potential.

What's the difference between "potential to become" and "capacity to become"?

"Capacity to become" emphasizes inherent ability or capability, while "potential to become" highlights the possibility or likelihood of developing into something. They are often interchangeable, but "capacity" suggests a stronger, more inherent quality.