capitalize on something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capitalize on something" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate taking advantage of a situation or opportunity for benefit or profit. Example: "The company was able to capitalize on the growing demand for eco-friendly products by launching a new line of sustainable goods."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Frasier" does, in fact, capitalize on something that those 1930's and 40's movies reveled in: the special connection between a rather hesitant, girlishly soft, unbelievably innocent man and a more down-to-earth, sharp-tongued, worldly-wise woman.

The New York Times - Arts

Whether it is an organized effort to improve a baby's communication skills or a marketing technique to captivate anxious parents and capitalize on something instinctively known by parents for generations remains a matter of debate.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

A game-based approach like that used at Quest to Learn shows a lot of promise, he says, in part because it capitalizes on something kids already love.

The New York Times - Magazine

"When Bravo jumped in, you can imagine the people at the Food Network wringing their hands and thinking, 'How could they be capitalizing on something we created?' " he said.

The New York Times

But how much can someone really love mango?! Clearly these clever girls had capitalized on something.

Vice

Lao: I think [there was this] alternative way of thinking from the late-90s made the kids think that if you are an artist, earning money is bad and it's wrong, because you're capitalizing on something that should be for free.

Vice

The behaviour OneClass aims to capitalize on is something that's already going on in most schools as it is: Students continually share notes and exam prep with one another.

TechCrunch

Early response to the controller device has been lukewarm, with many criticizing its battery life (three to five hours) and how it can't operate as a standalone device without the Wii U base, something Sony is capitalizing on by making the Vita a second-screen device for some PS3 games.

TechCrunch

And people sometimes find rule-breakers attractive ― something Trump has capitalized on throughout his campaign by presenting himself as an outsider who's not afraid to say what people are really thinking.

Huffington Post

American tourists have been able to travel to the country on their own via what's known as individual "people-to-people" educational trips (something airlines have capitalized on by adding direct flights from the U.S. to Cuba), but they will now have to qualify for a visa under one of 12 authorized travel categories, which will be more intensely enforced.

Huffington Post

Lyft Line is an attempt to capitalize on that, offering something with capacity for up to six passengers designed to pair riders going in the same direction.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the ethical implications when deciding to "capitalize on something". Ensure your actions are perceived as strategic and beneficial, not exploitative or unfair.

Common error

Avoid using "capitalize on something" too frequently in the same piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "take advantage of" or "leverage" to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding monotonous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capitalize on something" functions as a phrasal verb where 'capitalize' is combined with the preposition 'on' to form a transitive verb. This verb takes a direct object ('something') to indicate what is being leveraged for benefit, as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "capitalize on something" is a grammatically correct phrasal verb used to describe the act of strategically taking advantage of opportunities. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and identifies its prevalence in News & Media. While it's essential to use this phrase judiciously and ethically, understanding its nuances and potential alternatives can enhance your writing. Remember to clearly identify the opportunity and be mindful of ethical implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take advantage of something

This alternative is more direct and general, lacking the nuance of strategic planning.

seize on something

This alternative suggests a quick and decisive action to take advantage of an opportunity.

leverage something

This alternative is more business-oriented, implying a strategic use of resources.

make the most of something

This alternative emphasizes maximizing benefits but may not imply a pre-existing opportunity.

profit from something

This alternative focuses on financial gain, omitting other potential benefits.

benefit from something

This is a more general term for gaining an advantage, not necessarily through direct action.

exploit something

This alternative has a negative connotation, suggesting unfair or unethical use.

harness something

This implies controlling and directing something for a specific purpose or benefit.

cash in on something

This alternative is more informal and emphasizes a quick profit.

build on something

This implies developing something further, using it as a base for expansion or improvement.

FAQs

How can I use "capitalize on something" in a sentence?

You can use "capitalize on something" to indicate taking advantage of an opportunity or situation. For example, "The company decided to "capitalize on the growing trend" of remote work by launching new software solutions."

What are some alternatives to "capitalize on something"?

Some alternatives include "take advantage of", "leverage", "exploit" (use with caution due to its negative connotation), or "profit from".

When is it appropriate to use "capitalize on something"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the strategic or opportunistic nature of an action. It suggests that someone is proactively using an available resource or situation to achieve a desired outcome. Make sure it does not come off as unethical or exploitative.

What's the difference between "capitalize on something" and "take advantage of something"?

While both phrases mean to use something to one's benefit, "capitalize on something" often implies a more calculated or strategic approach, whereas "take advantage of something" can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation, suggesting opportunism without necessarily strategic planning.