capacity to improve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capacity to improve" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's ability or potential to get better at something. Example: "The new employee has shown great capacity to improve in their role, constantly seeking feedback and implementing new strategies."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Like past revolutions, this current wave shows capacity to improve productivity and efficiency.

The Guardian

He hails Cisco's capacity to improve not just productivity, but also to improve lives.

The New York Times

"It has a profound capacity to improve academic excellence and career opportunities.

The Guardian

Such behaviour advertised his will and capacity to improve the lives of people dependent on him.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Recognition: Yes or No could have seriously scrutinised the costly Recognise campaign for its arguable capacity to improve black lives.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

There is huge capacity to improve our streets, not just for cycling but for everyone, by making them better for cycling.

The Guardian - Opinion

For all the understandable lionising of Wilkinson, outstanding on his final appearance on British soil, this is a team with the capacity to improve further without him.

The Guardian - Sport

This series is far from over but to imagine Australia are the only side with the capacity to improve is nonsense.

The Guardian - Sport

Living within our means should not mean abandoning our civilisation or devastating public capacity to improve the lot of our citizens.

The Guardian - Business

Even in a high-tech age when the human capacity to improve upon nature seems limitless, there is no satisfactory substitute for the honeybee.

The New York Times

But whatever its merits relative to other ideas, it does seem that this plan does have the capacity to improve the financial markets.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing organizational or systemic improvements, clearly define what aspects have the "capacity to improve" and how this improvement will be measured. This provides concrete goals and benchmarks for success.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the "capacity to improve" without providing specific examples or data to support the claim. Overly optimistic statements can undermine credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capacity to improve" functions as a noun phrase followed by an infinitive, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirm, It describes the inherent ability or potential for something to get better or make progress.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "capacity to improve" is a versatile and frequently used expression, primarily functioning as a noun phrase followed by an infinitive, used to describe the potential for something to get better. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and applicable across various contexts. Its prevalence in scientific, news, and formal business domains underscores its professional register. While alternatives like "potential for betterment" or "room for development" exist, "capacity to improve" remains a strong choice when highlighting the inherent ability for positive change. When using this phrase, ensure claims are supported by evidence to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capability to develop

Similar to "capacity to improve", but emphasizes the capability aspect.

ability to advance

Focuses on the skill to promote or further.

potential for betterment

Emphasizes the possibility of becoming better.

potential for advancement

Stresses the possibility of moving forward or upward.

room for development

Focuses on the space or opportunity available for growth.

opportunity for growth

Highlights the chance or possibility for expansion and development.

scope for enhancement

Highlights the range or extent to which something can be improved.

area for advancement

Similar to "room for development" it focus on a specific space.

avenues for progress

Focuses on the paths or methods that enable advancement.

scope for refinement

Emphasizes the possibility for making something more precise or polished.

FAQs

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

You can use "capacity to improve" to describe the potential for growth or betterment in a specific area. For example, "This new training program has the "capacity to improve" employee productivity."

What are some alternatives to "capacity to improve"?

Alternatives include "potential for betterment", "room for development", or "scope for enhancement" depending on the specific context.

Is "capacity to improve" formal or informal language?

"Capacity to improve" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's more commonly found in professional or academic writing. In very informal settings, simpler phrases might be preferred.

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

While similar, "capacity to improve" suggests an inherent ability or infrastructure that allows for improvement, whereas "potential to improve" implies a possibility that may or may not be realized. They're often interchangeable, but subtle nuances exist depending on context.