capacity to conceive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capacity to conceive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the ability to form ideas, understand concepts, or in a biological sense regarding reproduction. Example: "The research focused on the capacity to conceive innovative solutions to complex problems in technology."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

A lack of capacity to conceive and manage the great urban project as a complex program has been displayed.

City, Territory and Architecture

Not only the courage but the capacity to conceive a strategy and, provided only that they receive the necessary means, to apply it.

Huffington Post

(As an opening caveat, we must remember that not all people with uteri are women and not all women have uteri. Therefore, I use the term "women" throughout this commentary to refer to people with uteri with the capacity to conceive and carry to term, including transgender people with the same capabilities).

Huffington Post

Indeed, in the categorization outline above, unplanned or ill-planned conception might occur in all groups who have the capacity to conceive and are sexually active.

BMC Medical Ethics

But this doesn't explain the fact that, according to a December 2005 report of the CDC's National Survey on Family Growth (NSFG), the fastest-growing segment of U.S. women with impaired fecundity (the capacity to conceive and carry a child to term) is those under 25.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

And Empson concludes that "limited as this form [the double sestina] may be, the capacity to accept a limitation so unflinchingly, the capacity even to conceive so large a form as a unit of sustained feeling, is one that has been lost since that age".

The Guardian - Books

Political scientist Fred Greenstein wrote of "Eisenhower's capacity to think organizationally--to conceive policy problems in terms of the formal and informal group processes through which they could best be clarified and implemented".

Huffington Post

There is also global capacity to consider.

The Economist

The very capacity of human beings to conceive something in the world at all is premised on their capacity to posit values (Sartre 1943a; Marcel 1960a, for the religious perspective).

SEP

Despite a lifetime of outward traditionalism and reactionary smarm, Green is seen as an indifferent father, a backstabbing colleague and an Olympic philanderer - in all three of which capacities he managed secretly to conceive a daughter, Paula Yates, with the wife of a workmate.

The Guardian

Restoring or creating diversity depends first of all on the capacity of academic and research communities to conceive and debate their own objectives, methods, and values, to find a balance between variety and disparity.

Triple Helix

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing biological reproduction, ensure clarity by specifying whether you are referring to the "capacity to conceive" naturally or with medical assistance.

Common error

Avoid using "capacity to conceive" when a simpler term like "ability to understand" or "potential to create" is more appropriate for the specific context. Ensure the phrase accurately reflects the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capacity to conceive" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes the inherent ability or power to form ideas, plans, or in a biological context, to become pregnant. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is appropriate for diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "capacity to conceive" is a noun phrase denoting the ability to form ideas, plans, or reproduce biologically. Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically correct and appropriate for diverse contexts. Although its usage is relatively rare, it appears in both scientific and news media sources. Related phrases include "ability to imagine" and "reproductive potential", offering alternatives depending on the specific context. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the intended meaning and consider whether a simpler term would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reproductive potential

Specifically indicates the potential for reproduction.

fertility

Directly relates to reproductive capability.

ability to reproduce

Emphasizes the biological ability to reproduce.

ability to imagine

Focuses on the imaginative aspect rather than the conceptual or reproductive.

potential to create

Highlights the creative potential, broadening the scope beyond just conception.

capability to understand

Emphasizes understanding and comprehension skills.

power to generate

Highlights the generative aspect, suitable in contexts beyond reproduction.

aptitude for innovation

Stresses the innovative aspect rather than general conception.

skill in formulating ideas

Focuses on the skill involved in forming ideas.

knack for developing ideas

Indicates a natural talent for developing concepts.

FAQs

What does "capacity to conceive" mean?

The phrase "capacity to conceive" generally refers to the ability or power to form ideas, understand concepts, or, in a biological context, to become pregnant.

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

You might use "capacity to conceive" in sentences like: "The project tested the team's "ability to innovate" and their capacity to conceive novel solutions", or "The study focused on factors affecting women's capacity to conceive".

Which is more appropriate: "capacity to conceive" or "ability to imagine"?

The choice depends on the context. "Capacity to conceive" is often used in a biological context related to reproduction or in discussions about forming complex ideas. "Ability to imagine" is more appropriate when referring to creative or imaginative thinking.

What are some alternatives to "capacity to conceive"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "ability to understand", "potential to create", "fertility", or "reproductive potential".