capacity to shape

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capacity to shape" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the ability or potential to influence or determine the outcome of something. Example: "The artist's capacity to shape public perception through her work is remarkable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

That's our birthright – the capacity to shape our own destiny.

The Guardian

That's our birthright – the capacity to shape our own destiny," he added.

The Guardian

Most people overrate their own abilities and exaggerate their capacity to shape the future.

The New York Times

His main mission is to serve as "America's chief health educator," with potentially enormous capacity to shape public opinion.

The New York Times

Such a mix of complexity and incompleteness ensures a capacity to shape an urban subject and an urban subjectivity.

The Guardian

Isis has harnessed better than any of its rivals or predecessors the capacity to shape its message through media.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Such a move toward far stronger regulation would make it possible to develop institutional capacities to shape which direction research and investment takes.

The New York Times

And this ultimately is why it's a worthwhile project to know how it got that power, that reach, and that capacity to determine the shape of our culture and our lives.

Huffington Post

All three factors have the capacity to influence the shape of the ventricle in the face of gradients in calcium sensitivity, calcium transients, and maximal tension.

American Journal of Physiology - Heart and Circulatory Physiology

That got me thinking about my skill set: I am familiar with strategies to help individuals who need to lose weight, improve cardio vascular capacity, want to shape, tone and strengthen their bodies.

Huffington Post

It has been a constant of US foreign policy that any "special relationship" is not based on nostalgia or some mystical solidarity among the "English-speaking peoples", but on a realpolitik assessment of our capacity to help shape our continent in a modern, outward-looking direction.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "capacity to shape", ensure that the context clearly defines what is being shaped and the means by which this shaping occurs. This adds precision and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "capacity to shape" when the influence is minimal or indirect. Overstating the actual impact can weaken your argument and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capacity to shape" functions primarily as a noun phrase acting as the object of a verb or preposition, denoting the inherent or potential ability to influence or determine the form of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "capacity to shape" is a versatile and commonly used expression denoting the potential to influence or determine the form of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appears frequently in diverse contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While interchangeable with alternatives such as "ability to influence" or "power to mold", using "capacity to shape" can add a nuanced emphasis on inherent potential. When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies what is being shaped and by what means, avoiding overstatements of actual impact to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ability to influence

Focuses on the power to affect something without necessarily controlling it entirely.

power to mold

Implies a strong ability to directly and significantly alter something.

capability to direct

Highlights the potential to guide the course or direction of something.

potential to impact

Emphasizes the possible effect that something could have.

skill to form

Focuses on the developed ability to create or construct something specific.

talent for influencing

Highlights a natural aptitude for affecting outcomes or opinions.

aptitude to determine

Suggests an inherent ability to decide or control a specific outcome.

resource to control

Highlights the means available to manage or direct something.

means to alter

Focuses on the methods or tools used to modify something.

scope to transform

Indicates the extent or opportunity to completely change something.

FAQs

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

You can use "capacity to shape" to describe the ability to influence or determine the form or development of something. For example: "Education enhances a person's "capacity to shape" their own future."

What are some alternatives to "capacity to shape"?

Alternatives include "ability to influence", "power to mold", or "potential to impact", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

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

"Ability" and "capacity" are often interchangeable, but "capacity" emphasizes potential or inherent capability, while "ability" focuses on demonstrated skill. Therefore, "capacity to shape" often refers to the potential to influence, while ability suggests a proven track record.

What does it mean to have the "capacity to shape" public opinion?

To have the "capacity to shape" public opinion means having the power and resources to influence what people think or believe about certain issues, often through media, communication, or leadership. State-controlled television, for instance, has demonstrated its "capacity to shape" Russian public opinion.