capacity to generate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capacity to generate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the ability or potential to produce or create something, often in contexts related to resources, ideas, or energy. Example: "The new technology has a remarkable capacity to generate renewable energy from waste materials."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Yet institutional investors generally lack the capacity to generate, transmit, induce, and monitor targeted active strategies.

Harvard University

Football retains an indissoluble capacity to generate rage.

The Guardian - Sport

But the film's capacity to generate debate goes much further.

The Guardian

"Now we view it as an asset with the capacity to generate earnings".

The New York Times

Even low levels of street disorder have the capacity to generate widespread fear.

The Guardian - Opinion

Individuals and families that lose their capacity to generate sufficient income fracture.

University of California, Berkeley

Combined, the plants have the capacity to generate 2,480 megawatts, enough power for about two million homes.

The New York Times

Indeed, the capacity to generate electricity in New England has been shrinking because several nuclear plants are being closed.

The New York Times

This finding enables to discriminate the place with greater or lesser capacity to generate seismic energy.

Tectonophysics

Innervation of anatomical structures is fundamental to their capacity to generate nociceptive impulses.

The Spine Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Keynesian magic dispelled illusion and showed that market economics had no automatic capacity to generate full employment.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a system or entity's inherent ability, use "capacity to generate" to emphasize its potential for output or creation. For example, "The solar panels have the "capacity to generate" enough electricity for the entire house."

Common error

Avoid using "capacity to generate" when describing current output. "Capacity" refers to potential, not actual production. For example, don't say "The plant has a "capacity to generate" 500 megawatts today" if it's only generating 400. Instead, state the actual output.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capacity to generate" functions primarily as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It denotes the inherent capability or potential of something to produce or create. This is confirmed by Ludwig, highlighting the phrase's usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "capacity to generate" is a versatile and frequently used expression to denote the potential or ability to produce something. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. With a high frequency in science, news & media, and academic domains, it serves to describe the inherent capabilities of systems or entities. While alternatives like "ability to produce" and "potential to create" exist, understanding the nuances of "capacity" ensures precise communication. The phrase's appropriateness and common usage solidify its importance in effective writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ability to produce

Replaces "capacity" with "ability", focusing on the power to create something.

potential to create

Substitutes "capacity" with "potential", emphasizing the possibility of generating something.

capability to form

Uses "capability" instead of "capacity" and "form" instead of "generate", suggesting the power to shape or bring into being.

power to develop

Replaces "capacity" with "power" and "generate" with "develop", highlighting the strength to evolve or expand.

aptitude to yield

Substitutes "capacity" with "aptitude" and "generate" with "yield", focusing on the natural tendency to produce a result.

facility to originate

Uses "facility" instead of "capacity" and "originate" instead of "generate", emphasizing the ease of creating something new.

resourcefulness in producing

Replaces "capacity" with "resourcefulness" and restructures the sentence, emphasizing clever use of available means to produce.

talent for creation

Substitutes the entire phrase with a noun phrase, emphasizing inherent skill in creating.

skill at developing

Uses "skill" instead of "capacity" and "developing" instead of "generate", focusing on expertise in fostering growth.

expertise in manufacturing

Emphasizes specialized knowledge in producing goods, changing the focus from general generation to specific creation.

FAQs

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

Use "capacity to generate" to describe the potential or ability to produce something. For example, "The wind farm has the "capacity to generate" a large amount of electricity."

What are some alternatives to "capacity to generate"?

You can use alternatives like "ability to produce", "potential to create", or "capability to form" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "ability to generate" or "capacity to generate"?

Both phrases are correct and can be used interchangeably. "Capacity" often implies a maximum potential, while "ability" refers to a general capability. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. For example, the phrase "ability to generate" is very similar and interchangeable with the main query.

What's the difference between "capacity to generate" and "actual output"?

"Capacity to generate" refers to the maximum possible output under ideal conditions, while "actual output" is the real-time production, which may be lower due to various factors like maintenance or resource limitations.