capacity to withstand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capacity to withstand" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it to describe a person's or object's ability to endure or withstand a difficult or challenging situation. For example: - "The team's resilience and capacity to withstand pressure led them to victory in the championship." - "The bridge was designed with a high capacity to withstand strong winds and earthquakes." - "We were impressed by the tree's capacity to withstand the harsh winter conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Brendan relies more on technical finesse and a capacity to withstand punishment.

The New York Times

Over all, banks have "sufficient loss absorption capacity to withstand possible further shocks".

The New York Times

The ability to do them more than once and with proper form is an important indicator of the capacity to withstand the rigors of aging.

The New York Times - Health

"We feel this is a very solid company with plenty of capacity to withstand whatever happens the next few months," he said.

The New York Times

"But Pakistan has a tremendous capacity to withstand coercion and a mindset that wants eternal confrontation with India that is too deeply entrenched," he said.

The Guardian

Dancing had shaped Tanny's personality, instilling in her discipline, perseverance and a capacity to withstand pain that gave her inner strength when the crisis came.

The New York Times

In the Unani system of medicine, tabiyat is an individual's internal power or capacity to withstand or combat disease and to perform normal physiological functions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Nadira must have enough for her month-long sojourn and Lop Nur naan, noted for its longevity and capacity to withstand the damp air of her island retreat, would be just the thing.

The Guardian

They may be naïve about their capacity to withstand reduced circumstances in Paris, especially given that they capitulated to the suburbs in the first place in order to flee a tiny cockroach-infested Greenwich Village apartment.

The New Yorker

In the nineteen-nineties, Jacob was asked to help New York City evaluate its capacity to withstand storms, and since then he has conducted similar studies for New York State and the M.T.A. His findings were sobering.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It is now accepted that chemotherapy decreases the patient's capacity to withstand very large resections (Vauthey et al, 2006).

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing organizational preparedness, use "capacity to withstand" to highlight the resources and strategies in place to handle crises. For example, "The company increased its financial capacity to withstand economic downturns by diversifying its investments."

Common error

Avoid using "capacity to withstand" when describing proactive efforts to prevent a negative event. Instead, reserve it for situations where the focus is on enduring or surviving an event that is already occurring or highly likely to occur. For example, don't say "The city developed a capacity to withstand a hurricane" (prevention), but rather "The city demonstrated a remarkable capacity to withstand the impact of the hurricane" (endurance).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capacity to withstand" functions primarily as a noun phrase acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used. It describes the extent to which something can endure or resist a force or condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "capacity to withstand" is a versatile and widely used expression that describes the ability of something or someone to endure or resist a force, pressure, or other challenging condition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance across various domains, from science and news to business and general knowledge. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, the phrase appears often in contexts describing financial stability, material durability, and personal resilience. While generally neutral to formal in tone, understanding its nuances, particularly in proactive versus reactive scenarios, can help writers use it effectively. By exploring related phrases like "ability to endure" and being mindful of the scope of its meaning, you can enhance the precision and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ability to endure

Focuses on the general ability to suffer something patiently.

resilience to overcome

Highlights the ability to bounce back from difficult situations.

capability to endure

Emphasizes the inherent potential to withstand hardship.

potential to resist

Shifts the focus to actively opposing or preventing something negative.

strength to persevere

Underscores the inner fortitude required to continue despite difficulties.

tolerance for stress

Specifically addresses the ability to handle stressful situations.

fortitude to face

Stresses courage and resolve in confronting adversity.

power to combat

Highlights the active fight against something negative.

resources to manage

Emphasizes the availability of resources for dealing with challenges.

immunity to damage

Focuses on the resistance to harm or injury.

FAQs

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

Use "capacity to withstand" to describe the ability of something or someone to endure or resist a force, pressure, or other difficult condition. For example, "The bridge's design ensures a high capacity to withstand earthquakes."

What are some alternatives to "capacity to withstand"?

You can use alternatives like "ability to endure", "resilience to overcome", or "potential to resist" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "capacity to withstand" or "capability to withstand"?

"Capacity" and "capability" are often interchangeable, but "capacity" emphasizes the potential amount that can be held or endured, while "capability" emphasizes the inherent ability to do something. Both "capacity to withstand" and "capability to withstand" are grammatically correct.

What's the difference between "capacity to withstand" and "capacity to resist"?

"Capacity to withstand" implies enduring or surviving a force, while "capacity to resist" suggests actively opposing or preventing it. The best choice depends on whether the subject is passively enduring or actively fighting.