capacity to excel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capacity to excel" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's potential or ability to perform exceptionally well in a particular area or field. Example: "With her dedication and hard work, she has demonstrated her capacity to excel in her studies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Just as we all have the capacity to excel, we also all have great capacity to be stupid.

The Guardian

Scientists have spent decades arguing over whether intelligence is best conceived as a generalized ability or as the capacity to excel in particular areas of mental, social or emotional functioning.

The New York Times

"After a lifetime of being told that they were intellectually and culturally inferior," Mr. Arsenault writes, even many blacks "questioned their race's capacity to excel in the 'higher' forms of art, theater, science, literature, sports, entertainment and music".

The New York Times - Books

This paper argues strongly that: Fostering a new professionalism in the public service workforce, which combines increased responsiveness to users, consistent quality in day-to-day practices, higher levels of autonomy from central government wherever those at the front line show the ambition and capacity to excel and greater investment in workforce skills.

The Guardian - Opinion

We believe in their capacity to excel in using their knowledge and education in their lives.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

While content knowledge is important, to excel in the labor market today graduates need to develop procedural knowledge, with greater emphasis on capacity development for transferable skills.

Teaching and Teacher Education

Visuospatial skills, the capacity to rotate three-dimensional objects in the mind, at which men tend to excel over women, are in turn related to a capacity for abstract thinking and reasoning, the grounding for mathematics, science and philosophy.

Huffington Post

The ability of a region to excel heavily depends on the innovation capacity of enterprises that reside in the region, and thus, their role is critical.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

"Many girls choose not to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics because they do not have the confidence to excel in mathematics - despite having the capacity to do so," concludes the report.

Independent

She strove to excel.

The New York Times

He is driven to excel.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's inherent qualities, use "capacity to excel" to emphasize their potential rather than current achievements.

Common error

Avoid using "capacity to excel" when referring to someone's past performance; instead, reserve it for describing their inherent ability or future potential.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capacity to excel" functions as a modifier, specifically as part of a noun phrase where it describes the potential or inherent ability of a subject to perform exceptionally well. Ludwig AI examples show it relating to individuals, groups, or even abstract concepts like regions or nations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "capacity to excel" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe the potential or inherent ability to perform exceptionally well. While not exceedingly common, as supported by the low example count, Ludwig AI confirms that it is suitable for use in neutral to professional settings, often appearing in news and media, and science. It emphasizes future possibilities and serves as an aspirational descriptor. For alternative expressions, consider "ability to thrive" or "potential to succeed", depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ability to thrive

Replaces 'excel' with 'thrive', emphasizing overall success and well-being.

potential to succeed

Substitutes 'capacity' with 'potential' and 'excel' with 'succeed', focusing on the possibility of achieving success.

aptitude for distinction

Uses 'aptitude' instead of 'capacity' and 'distinction' instead of 'excel', highlighting a natural talent for standing out.

talent for surpassing expectations

Emphasizes the ability to exceed what is expected, rather than simply performing well.

skill to achieve greatness

Focuses on the skill needed to reach a high level of accomplishment.

competence to shine

Highlights the competence or capability that allows someone to stand out.

knack for mastering skills

Emphasizes a natural inclination for gaining expertise.

facility for remarkable achievement

Indicates an ease or natural ability in accomplishing significant goals.

predisposition for high performance

Suggests an inherent tendency towards performing at a high level.

capability for exceptional results

Highlights the ability to produce results that are far above average.

FAQs

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

You can use "capacity to excel" to describe someone's potential or ability to perform exceptionally well in a particular area. For example: "The program aims to nurture students' "capacity to excel" in STEM fields."

What are some alternatives to "capacity to excel"?

Some alternatives include "ability to thrive", "potential to succeed", or "aptitude for distinction", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "capacity to excel" in both formal and informal contexts?

While generally appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, "capacity to excel" may sound more formal. Consider using simpler alternatives like "ability to succeed" in more informal settings.

What's the difference between "capacity to excel" and "desire to excel"?

"Capacity to excel" refers to the inherent ability or potential to perform exceptionally well, while "desire to excel" indicates a strong motivation or ambition to achieve excellence. One is about potential, the other about motivation.