capacity to recognize

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capacity to recognize" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's ability or potential to identify or acknowledge something, such as a skill, emotion, or situation. Example: "Her capacity to recognize the emotions of others makes her an excellent leader."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Which is the capacity to recognize and then adore real talent.

The New York Times - Style

Lymphocytes are distinguished from other cells by their capacity to recognize foreign molecules.

Britannica

These skills should include the capacity to recognize one's own biases and blind spots.

The New York Times

Cannabis has been suggested to impair the capacity to recognize discrepancies between expected and executed actions.

European Neuropsychopharmacology

Sleep even improves our capacity to recognize different and specific types of emotions in people's faces more accurately.

University of California, Berkeley

The British philosophers emphasized the moral sentiments, the spontaneous capacity to recognize another person's suffering and to feel it as one's own.

The New York Times - Books

What's changed is that we don't have a drug, and we have dramatically reduced the capacity to recognize, on a routine clinical basis, when resistance emerges".

The New Yorker

Yang, J. D. et al. Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells differ in their capacity to recognize infected macrophages.

Nature

"PigeonRank's success relies primarily on the superior trainability of the domestic pigeon (Columba livia) and its unique capacity to recognize objects regardless of spatial orientation.

The Guardian - Tech

What marks him as heroic isn't his rank, but his capacity to recognize the sinister splendor of the world around him.

The New York Times - Books

Openness to new experiences can help increase your integrative complexity the capacity to recognize new patterns and find links among seemingly unrelated pieces of information.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing abstract concepts or inherent qualities, use "capacity to recognize" to emphasize potential rather than just current ability.

Common error

Avoid using "capacity to recognize" when simpler terms like "ability to see" or "skill to notice" would suffice, especially in informal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capacity to recognize" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the inherent or potential ability to identify or acknowledge something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

38%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "capacity to recognize" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that denotes the potential or ability to identify or acknowledge something. As highlighted by Ludwig, it finds applications across diverse fields, including science, news, and academia. While it conveys a sense of potential or inherent skill, simpler alternatives may be preferred in less formal contexts. The high frequency and diverse source base confirm its widespread acceptance and usability in various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ability to discern

Focuses on the quality of being able to distinguish or perceive differences.

potential to identify

Emphasizes the latent possibility of being able to recognize something.

skill in detecting

Highlights a learned proficiency in noticing or discovering something.

aptitude for perceiving

Focuses on a natural inclination or talent for becoming aware of something.

power to acknowledge

Emphasizes the authority or capability to accept or admit something.

capability to understand

Highlights the ability to grasp the meaning or significance of something.

facility in recognizing

Emphasizes the ease and efficiency in identifying something.

competence in identifying

Focuses on the demonstrated ability to successfully recognize something.

knack for noticing

Emphasizes a natural talent or inherent skill in observing something.

talent for detecting

Highlights an innate ability to discover or identify something subtle or hidden.

FAQs

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

You can use "capacity to recognize" to describe someone's ability to identify or acknowledge something. For example, "Her capacity to recognize subtle changes in market trends made her a successful investor."

What are some alternatives to "capacity to recognize"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "ability to discern", "potential to identify", or "skill in detecting".

Is "capacity to recognize" formal or informal language?

"Capacity to recognize" is generally considered neutral to formal language, suitable for academic, professional, and news contexts. Simpler alternatives might be preferred in informal settings.

What's the difference between "capacity to recognize" and "ability to recognize"?

While similar, "capacity to recognize" often implies a potential or inherent ability, whereas "ability to recognize" suggests a demonstrated or current skill. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize potential versus current competence.