capacity to succeed

USAGE SUMMARY

"capacity to succeed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a person's potential or ability to succeed. For example: "Bob's ambition and capacity to succeed make him stand out in the office."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

It blurred the lines of evaluation for her teacher, but more important, my help hampered my daughter's ability to recognize her own capacity to succeed.

The New York Times

He should befuddle no one on court, although history reminds us not to underestimate Muster's capacity to succeed against nasty odds.

The New York Times - Sports

From seminal research on more than 1,500 athletes, he has developed a battery of tests that he says can identify which athletes have the psychological makeup — the switching capacity — to succeed or fail under pressure.

The New York Times - Sports

Michael McFaul, a Stanford University professor and the chief Russia adviser for Senator Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, said Russia appeared intent on trying to "disrupt the international order" and had the capacity to succeed.

The New York Times

Her life story — involving an early bankruptcy, then redemption through earning millions running staged wrestling bouts — is a rags-to-riches tale, and she says it demonstrates her capacity to succeed as a senator.

The New York Times

New educational approaches are needed to prepare graduates enter the workforce through improving their capacity to succeed in a knowledge economy (P21 2010).

Smart Learning Environments

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

In celebrating 50 years of women at NSF, we are recognizing women who challenged the perception of women and women's capacities to succeed professionally.

Science Magazine

Determine your capability to succeed.

WikiHow

Windsor said the capacity for independents to succeed was reasonable and suggested candidates required only 26% to 27% of the primary vote to win a seat, given preference flows.

The Guardian

Women who have their own capacities and ambitions to succeed and to make their impact in their own way.

TechCrunch

Newton proves the capacity of natural science to succeed independently of a priori, clear and certain first principles.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing someone's "capacity to succeed", provide specific examples or evidence to support your claim. This adds credibility and depth to your analysis.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating someone's "capacity to succeed" without providing concrete reasons or examples. Overstating potential can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capacity to succeed" functions as a noun phrase acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the inherent or potential ability to achieve a desired outcome. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "capacity to succeed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe someone's potential or ability to achieve their goals. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a valuable phrase in written English. Its usage spans across various contexts, including News & Media and Science, with a generally neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, it's important to provide specific examples or evidence to support your claims and avoid overstating potential without justification. Consider alternatives like "potential for success" or "ability to thrive" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

potential for success

Focuses on the inherent possibility of achieving success.

ability to thrive

Emphasizes flourishing and doing well, suggesting a more comprehensive success.

aptitude for achievement

Highlights a natural talent or inclination towards achieving goals.

capability to prosper

Suggests financial or material success.

talent for accomplishment

Highlights innate skill as the key to success.

knack for getting ahead

Implies a clever or skillful way of progressing.

prospects for advancement

Focuses on the opportunities and chances for future success.

likelihood of succeeding

Emphasizes the probability of achieving a positive outcome.

chance of victory

Refers specifically to winning or overcoming challenges.

promise of triumph

Highlights the anticipation of a great success or victory.

FAQs

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

You can use "capacity to succeed" to describe someone's potential or ability to achieve a goal. For example, "Her hard work and dedication demonstrated her capacity to succeed in a challenging field."

What are some alternatives to "capacity to succeed"?

You can use alternatives like "potential for success", "ability to thrive", or "aptitude for achievement" depending on the specific context.

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

"Ability to succeed" and "capacity to succeed" are very similar. "Ability" refers to a present skill, while "capacity" often implies potential that may not be fully realized yet. The best choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.

What factors contribute to someone's "capacity to succeed"?

Many factors can influence someone's "capacity to succeed", including their skills, knowledge, experience, motivation, and access to resources. External factors like support systems and opportunities also play a significant role.