capitalizes upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capitalizes upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing how someone takes advantage of a situation or opportunity for their benefit. Example: "The company capitalizes upon emerging trends to stay ahead of its competitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

To illustrate the educational potential of these resources, below we outline an educational module that capitalizes upon natural history "big data" to engage students in inquiry-driven learning experiences that explore complex, real-world responses to environmental change.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

An argument against the Relational Event Theory capitalizes upon the fact that we have the conceptual resources to distinguish between not hearing a sound because the sounding object is no longer resonating and not hearing it because we do not have informational access to the sounding object anymore.

SEP

See, no one quite gets (and subsequently capitalizes upon) how weird and antiquated events like talk shows and award banquets are nowadays quite like Jimmy Kimmel does.

Huffington Post

Using a comedic style that has catapulted his Comedy Central program to the forefront of the list of must-watch news programs, Stewart capitalizes upon sad reflections of America's failed fourth estate by merely holding up a mirror... then adding a punch line.

Huffington Post

This last point is best illustrated in the dendrogram generated from the MLVA data alone (Figure 2), which capitalizes upon the rapid evolution of VNTR loci to depict the recently-derived radiative lineages within the A branch.

Plosone

The data we have presented suggests for the first time that human neural progenitors cultured in vitro utilize a robust neurogenic mechanism that capitalizes upon IPCs to facilitate and amplify neuron production as is observed in both rodent and human fetal slice culture experiments.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

But nobody has capitalized upon the phrase like De Blasio.

The Guardian

The Hungarian Dances capitalized upon two musical trends of the 19th century.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Berkower and Roberts conceived of J. D. Robb in 1995, as a way to capitalize upon Roberts's rate of production.

The New Yorker

The city must do better at recognizing and capitalizing upon its competitive advantages — one of which is our entrepreneurial spirit.

The New York Times

It became a leitmotif of the new "design art" trend, something capitalized upon by Willis with his limited-edition pieces, which run alongside the mass-produced ones.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "capitalizes upon" when you want to emphasize that someone is actively and cleverly making use of available resources or opportunities to their advantage. It suggests a strategic and intentional approach.

Common error

Avoid using "capitalizes upon" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "takes advantage of" or "uses" are often more appropriate and sound less pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capitalizes upon" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe how a subject utilizes or exploits a resource or opportunity to gain an advantage. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a valid and useful expression in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "capitalizes upon" is a grammatically correct and relatively common phrase that denotes taking strategic advantage of opportunities or resources. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is suitable for formal writing and professional contexts, particularly in scientific and news-related domains. While alternatives like "leverages" or "takes advantage of" may be more appropriate in informal settings, "capitalizes upon" conveys a sense of intentional and clever utilization. Remember to use it thoughtfully to enhance your writing's impact, and avoid overuse in casual contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leverages

This alternative is more concise and business-oriented, suggesting strategic use.

takes advantage of

This is a more straightforward and common alternative, suitable for general use.

makes the most of

This phrase highlights efficiency and resourcefulness in utilizing something.

seizes

Highlights the act of grasping an opportunity quickly and decisively.

benefits from

Focuses on the positive outcomes or advantages gained from a situation.

exploits

This term suggests a more opportunistic and potentially unethical approach.

harnesses

Implies controlling and directing a resource for a specific purpose.

builds on

Suggests using something as a foundation for further development or success.

draws on

Indicates utilizing something as a source of support or inspiration.

profits from

Directly implies financial or material gain from a situation.

FAQs

What does "capitalizes upon" mean?

The phrase "capitalizes upon" means to take full advantage of an opportunity or resource, often in a strategic or clever way. It suggests using something to gain an advantage or achieve a specific goal.

When is it appropriate to use "capitalizes upon"?

It is appropriate to use "capitalizes upon" in formal writing or professional contexts where you want to convey a sense of strategic advantage. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives like "takes advantage of" or "uses" might be more suitable.

What are some alternatives to "capitalizes upon"?

Some alternatives to "capitalizes upon" include "leverages", "takes advantage of", "exploits", "makes the most of", and "harnesses". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "capitalizes upon" formal or informal?

"Capitalizes upon" is considered a more formal phrase. In informal settings, it's better to use a simpler expression. For example, instead of "The company capitalizes upon emerging trends," you could say "The company "takes advantage of" emerging trends."