capitalized on

USAGE SUMMARY

"capitalized on" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is an idiomatic expression that means to take full advantage of a situation or opportunity in order to make a profit. For example, "The company capitalized on the favorable market conditions and saw a significant rise in its profits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Noah capitalized on his brother's keen interest.

Huffington Post

Truman capitalized on one such platitude.

Huffington Post

They've capitalized on it".

The New York Times - Sports

"They capitalized on that".

The New York Times - Sports

"And they capitalized on it".

The New York Times

Feller capitalized on his fame.

The New York Times - Sports

"They capitalized on them.

The Guardian - Sport

"We capitalized on that".

The New York Times

"They capitalized on mistakes," Huff said.

The New York Times - Sports

Mason never capitalized on his success.

The New York Times - Magazine

Morphsuits has capitalized on the interest.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "capitalized on" when you want to emphasize the act of strategically exploiting a favorable situation or opportunity for gain. It suggests a proactive approach to maximizing benefits.

Common error

While "capitalized on" is generally acceptable, it can sound overly formal or business-oriented in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "took advantage of" or "made the most of" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capitalized on" functions as a transitive phrasal verb. It describes the action of leveraging or exploiting something (like an opportunity or a weakness) to gain an advantage. Ludwig provides many examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

16%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "capitalized on" is a common and correct phrasal verb used to describe the act of taking advantage of a situation or opportunity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically sound and widely applicable. The phrase is most frequently encountered in News & Media and Science, suggesting a professional and neutral tone. When writing, consider the context to ensure the level of formality is appropriate. While "capitalized on" is a solid choice in many scenarios, remember alternatives like "took advantage of" or "leveraged" may be more suitable depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

took advantage of

More direct and less formal.

made the most of

Focuses on maximizing the positive aspects of a situation.

profited from

Emphasizes the gain or benefit received.

seized the opportunity

Highlights the act of grasping an available chance.

benefited from

Highlights the positive outcome or advantage gained.

leveraged

Implies using something to maximum advantage, often in a business context.

exploited

Can suggest using something unfairly or selfishly.

cashed in on

Suggests a quick and perhaps opportunistic gain.

built on

Suggests using something as a foundation for further development.

harnessed

Implies controlling and directing something for a specific purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "capitalized on" in a sentence?

You can use "capitalized on" to describe how someone or something took advantage of a situation or opportunity. For example, "The company "capitalized on" the growing demand for electric vehicles."

What are some alternatives to "capitalized on"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "took advantage of", "profited from", or "leveraged". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "capitalized on" in writing?

It's appropriate in formal writing, business contexts, or when you want to emphasize the strategic exploitation of an opportunity. However, in informal settings, simpler alternatives might be more suitable.

Is there a negative connotation associated with "capitalized on"?

While generally neutral, "capitalized on" can sometimes imply opportunism, especially if the situation being exploited is sensitive or involves someone else's misfortune. In such cases, consider alternative phrasing.