capacity to serve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capacity to serve" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's ability or potential to provide assistance or fulfill a role, often in a professional or organizational context. Example: "The organization has the capacity to serve a larger number of clients this year due to increased funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It requires the intention and capacity to serve something beyond oneself.

The Guardian

"I think I'd have the capacity to serve at higher level.

The Guardian

Republican leaders praised his legal acumen and his capacity to serve in the position.

The New York Times

Three facilities have the capacity to serve well over 10 times that.

The New York Times

Last weekend, the Gore campaign began to openly question Mr. Bush's readiness and capacity to serve as president.

The New York Times

Matt Gorman Sustainability director, Heathrow You are right to question the case for new runway capacity to serve London.

The Guardian

In 1990, the Conservative Government set up a study into "Runway Capacity to Serve the South East".

Independent

How, I wondered as I devoured these texts, could anyone have the intellectual range and capacity to serve as a "general editor" of them?

The Guardian - Books

"I've known Patrick for five years, and he is a man of integrity and intelligence and he has the capacity to serve in this role," Mr. Aaronson said.

The New York Times

As catchment areas and their populations increase, so do hospital workloads – but there is little present evidence of any hospital having capacity to serve more people.

The Guardian

Since Allen & Company's first conference here, corporate aircraft have become larger, but the airport's capacity to serve them has not kept up.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "capacity to serve", ensure that the context clearly defines who or what is being served. For example, "the organization has the capacity to serve more clients" is more specific than simply "the organization has the capacity to serve."

Common error

Avoid using "capacity to serve" in situations where there's little or no evidence to support the claim. Substantiate claims of capacity with data or specific plans. For instance, instead of saying "the new system has the capacity to serve all users", provide information about the system's architecture and testing results.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capacity to serve" functions as a noun phrase followed by an infinitive, indicating the ability or potential to perform an action. It commonly appears as the object of a verb or as part of a prepositional phrase, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Opinion

3%

Books

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "capacity to serve" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively conveys the ability or potential to provide assistance or fulfill a function. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about the entity being served and avoid overstating potential without supporting evidence. Alternatives such as "ability to assist" or "capability to provide service" may offer nuanced variations. The phrase maintains a neutral register, fitting diverse communication needs. Overall, it's a reliable expression for describing service-oriented capabilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ability to assist

Focuses on the general capability to help or aid.

capability to provide service

Emphasizes the readiness and competence to deliver a specific service.

potential to contribute

Highlights the possible positive impact one can have.

aptitude for serving

Suggests a natural inclination or talent for service.

preparedness to help

Focuses on the state of being ready and willing to assist.

resources to support

Emphasizes the availability of necessary resources for providing support.

means to facilitate

Highlights the availability of tools or methods to make something easier.

scope to accommodate

Indicates the extent or range within which something can be handled or included.

room to maneuver

Implies the flexibility and space available for action or adjustment.

facility for assisting

Highlights the ease and efficiency in providing assistance.

FAQs

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

You can use "capacity to serve" to describe the ability of an individual, organization, or system to provide assistance or fulfill a particular function. For example: "The hospital increased its "capacity to serve" patients in the emergency room."

What are some alternatives to "capacity to serve"?

Alternatives include "ability to assist", "capability to provide service", or "potential to contribute", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to use "ability to serve" or "capacity to serve"?

"Capacity" often implies a limit or maximum potential, while "ability" is a more general term for being able to do something. "Capacity to serve" suggests the maximum extent to which one can provide service. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does "capacity to serve" differ from "willingness to serve"?

"Capacity to serve" refers to the resources and capabilities available to provide service, while "willingness to serve" describes the motivation and readiness to do so. One can have the "capacity to serve" but lack the willingness, and vice versa.