develop the capacity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "develop the capacity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you are trying to express the idea of making something stronger or more efficient. For example, "We must develop the capacity of our sales team if we want to increase profits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Women also need assistance to develop the capacity necessary in order to increase their incomes.

The Guardian

Maybe some new hostile countries will develop the capacity to pose a nuclear threat to our country circa 2025-50.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We're asking providers in the R.F.P. to develop the capacity to do it themselves, or subcontract it," he said.

The New York Times

Given current time constraints, a new election body will not be able to develop the capacity to organise the elections.

The Guardian - Opinion

I've had to develop the capacity to switch every halfhour or 45 minutes to a completely different topic.

The New York Times

The Afghan government is still struggling to develop the capacity to run — and finance — programs on its own.

The New York Times

As we grow older, we develop the capacity to reflect on our actions and pass judgment on what we admire and disdain in others.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The challenge is to develop the capacity of the service provider, such that when the aid programme finishes they can carry on".

The Guardian

Last week, prior to the nuclear test, a Liberal Democratic Party panel suggested that Japan should develop the capacity to launch pre-emptive strikes against prospective enemies.

The Guardian - Opinion

Iran rejects allegations that it has sought covertly to develop the capacity to produce nuclear weapons, saying it is enriching uranium solely for civilian purposes.

The Guardian

Personally, I measure my success as a teacher by whether my students develop the capacity to learn, think and act independently, without my guidance.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "develop the capacity", ensure that the context clearly indicates what specific capacity is being developed and for what purpose. Be specific to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid phrasing such as "capacity needs to be developed". Instead, use active voice: "We must develop the capacity to..." for more direct and impactful communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "develop the capacity" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun phrase, indicating an action aimed at increasing or improving a specific ability or potential. As Ludwig suggests, it expresses the idea of strengthening or making something more efficient.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "develop the capacity" is a versatile and widely used expression for describing the process of enhancing or building abilities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and applicable in various contexts, particularly in discussions about strategic improvement and growth. With a neutral to professional register, it fits well in both formal and informal settings. It is most frequently encountered in "News & Media", "Science", and "Formal & Business" contexts. When using "develop the capacity", clarity and specificity are essential. Avoid passive voice constructions to maintain a direct and impactful writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

build the capability

This alternative replaces "capacity" with "capability", maintaining a very similar meaning but with a slightly different nuance.

enhance the ability

Here, "develop" is replaced with "enhance" and "capacity" with "ability", focusing on improving an existing skill.

cultivate the potential

This phrase shifts the focus to nurturing underlying potential rather than building a current capacity.

expand the scope

This alternative suggests broadening the range or extent of something, implying an increase in capacity.

foster the competence

This phrase focuses on promoting the growth of specific skills or knowledge.

strengthen the aptitude

Here the focus is on reinforcing a natural talent or skill.

increase the efficiency

This alternative centers on improving productivity and performance.

grow the expertise

This phrase emphasizes the accumulation of knowledge and skills in a particular area.

nurture the talent

This implies providing the necessary support and resources for a talent to flourish.

refine the proficiency

This alternative suggests improving the level of skill or expertise through practice and refinement.

FAQs

How can I use "develop the capacity" in a sentence?

You can use "develop the capacity" to describe the process of improving or building a specific ability. For example, "The company needs to develop the capacity to handle increased customer demand."

What are some alternatives to "develop the capacity"?

Alternatives include "build the capability", "enhance the ability", or "cultivate the potential", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "develop the capacity" or "build the capacity"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. However, "develop" suggests a gradual process of improvement, while "build" might imply creating something from scratch.

Which is correct, "develop the capacity of" or "develop the capacity for"?

Both are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Develop the capacity of" usually refers to improving the ability of something specific, while "develop the capacity for" refers to gaining the ability to do something new.