capitalizing on

USAGE SUMMARY

'capitalizing on' is correct and usable in written English.
It means to make use of (an opportunity) to gain an advantage, or to quickly and easily get what one wants. For example: The company is capitalizing on the current digital trend by launching an online store.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Mets are the ones capitalizing on mistakes now.

The New York Times - Sports

We should be capitalizing on that capital standing.

Los Angeles Times

People also can't resist capitalizing on a food trend, or even better, capitalizing on two trends in one.

Huffington Post

Others fantasize about capitalizing on his freakishness.

The New York Times

The question is capitalizing on it".

The New York Times - Sports

But we're not capitalizing on it.

The New Yorker

So much for capitalizing on errors.

The New York Times

Mr. Gerson is capitalizing on his background.

The New York Times

And lawyers are capitalizing on the trend.

The Guardian

It's capitalizing on that Anglophile audience.

The New York Times

Are we capitalizing on near misses?

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "capitalizing on" to clearly convey the idea of taking advantage of an opportunity or trend for a specific benefit. It's appropriate in business, news, and academic contexts.

Common error

While "capitalizing on" is widely accepted, it can sound overly formal or business-oriented in casual conversation. Consider more straightforward alternatives like "making the most of" or "taking advantage of" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capitalizing on" functions as a verb phrase followed by a preposition, indicating the act of taking advantage of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across a broad range of contexts, as shown in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "capitalizing on" is a versatile phrase used to express the act of strategically leveraging opportunities or trends for gain. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in various contexts, ranging from News & Media to Academia. While it maintains a neutral tone suitable for formal writing, being mindful of its potential for sounding overly business-oriented in casual settings is crucial. Alternatives like "taking advantage of" or "making the most of" can offer a more natural tone in informal contexts. Remember to use "capitalizing on" when you aim to clearly communicate the strategic exploitation of an advantage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

benefiting from

This highlights the positive outcomes or advantages gained from a situation.

making the most of

This phrase focuses on maximizing the benefits of a situation.

taking advantage of

This alternative directly implies leveraging a situation, often with a connotation of opportunism.

seizing on

This phrase emphasizes quickly taking advantage of a sudden opportunity.

leveraging

This term is more formal and suggests strategic use of resources or opportunities.

harnessing

This implies controlling and directing resources or opportunities for a specific purpose.

profiting from

This emphasizes the financial gain derived from a situation or opportunity.

cashing in on

This idiom implies making a quick profit from a trend or event.

exploiting

This alternative suggests using a situation to its fullest extent, sometimes with negative connotations.

building on

This alternative suggests using existing progress or advantages as a foundation for further development.

FAQs

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

You can use "capitalizing on" to describe leveraging an opportunity, such as "The company is "capitalizing on" the growing demand for electric vehicles."

What are some alternatives to "capitalizing on"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "taking advantage of", "leveraging", or "profiting from".

Is it appropriate to use "capitalizing on" in formal writing?

Yes, "capitalizing on" is suitable for formal writing, especially in business and academic contexts where the strategic use of opportunities is discussed.

What's the difference between "capitalizing on" and "exploiting"?

While both phrases involve using something to one's advantage, "capitalizing on" typically has a neutral or positive connotation, while "exploiting" often suggests unfair or unethical use.