capitalize on the situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capitalize on the situation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing taking advantage of a particular circumstance or opportunity. Example: "The company was able to capitalize on the situation by launching a new product that met the emerging needs of consumers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

But even in tragedy, trust an enterprising Kenyan to find a way to capitalize on the situation.

The New York Times

"Our mishap in California set our program back a bit, but we've worked really hard to capitalize on the situation".

The New York Times - Sports

WITH oil prices and Middle East tensions already high as the summer driving season heats up, investors may be tempted to try to capitalize on the situation.

The New York Times

One city poised to capitalize on the situation is Chattanooga, where the mayor, Ron Littlefield, recently unveiled an $11.8 million softball complex aimed at returning the city to national prominence in the sport.

The New York Times - Sports

One entertainer seeking to capitalize on the situation is Beppe Grillo, a rowdy ex-comedian-turned-political blogger whose Five Star Movement proposes to sweep away the corrupt political order and promises a utopia of salaries for the unemployed and a 30-hour workweek.

The New York Times

"It's a scam, he is just trying to capitalize on the situation," Ancona said.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Mr. Sires's camp, meanwhile, has capitalized on the situation.

The New York Times

He seemed a bit sheepish about having so calculatingly capitalized on the situation, and so was quite accepting of the situation having changed.

The New York Times

But, while doctors and patients await the results of both Merck trials to find out the drugs' impact on heart health, Pfizer has been capitalizing on the situation.

The New York Times

At the parliamentary elections in December of that year, Vladimir Zhirinovsky, a talented populist, capitalized on the situation; he ran on unabashed ultranationalist rhetoric, and his party won a majority in the Duma.

The New Yorker

But once they recognized the briefings' influence, they capitalized on the situation by staging elaborate rehearsals for key Pentagon briefers, including General Kelly, who once asked an aide "if they'd passed out the questions in advance" to the journalists, because it seemed the reporters were simply reading them back to him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "capitalize on the situation", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific aspect of the situation being leveraged. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "capitalize on the situation" when it implies exploiting a negative situation or taking unfair advantage of others. Ensure your actions are ethical and considerate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capitalize on the situation" functions as a verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, indicating that it correctly expresses the action of taking advantage of circumstances. The examples show it used in various contexts, highlighting its flexibility.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academic & Scientific

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "capitalize on the situation" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe leveraging circumstances for a positive outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is valid and understandable in various contexts. While it appears most frequently in news and media, it's also common in formal business and scientific settings. While the phrase itself is valid, remember to consider the ethical implications of taking advantage of a situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turn the situation to one's advantage

Clearly indicates transforming a situation into a beneficial outcome.

take advantage of the opportunity

Focuses specifically on opportunities rather than a general situation.

seize the opportunity

Highlights the act of promptly grasping an opportunity.

leverage the circumstances

Emphasizes using the circumstances to one's advantage, implying a strategic approach.

make the most of the scenario

Highlights maximizing benefits from a given scenario.

benefit from the condition

Focuses on receiving a benefit from a specific condition.

exploit the conditions

Suggests a more assertive, potentially negative, approach to using the existing conditions.

profit from the state of affairs

Directly implies gaining profit or benefit from the current situation.

cash in on the moment

Implies a quick and opportunistic action to gain from a specific moment.

make hay while the sun shines

An idiomatic expression advising to take advantage of favorable conditions while they last.

FAQs

How can I use "capitalize on the situation" in a sentence?

Use "capitalize on the situation" to describe leveraging circumstances for a positive outcome. For example, "The company was able to "capitalize on the situation" by launching a new product that met the emerging needs of consumers."

What are some alternatives to "capitalize on the situation"?

You can use alternatives like "take advantage of the opportunity", "leverage the circumstances", or "turn the situation to one's advantage" depending on the context.

Is it always ethical to "capitalize on the situation"?

No, it's important to consider the ethical implications. Using "capitalize on the situation" to exploit a negative event or vulnerable individuals is generally considered unethical.

What's the difference between "capitalize on the situation" and "exploit the conditions"?

"Capitalize on the situation" generally implies a neutral or positive approach to leveraging circumstances, while "exploit the conditions" suggests a more assertive, potentially negative or unfair, use of existing conditions.