great capacity for

USAGE SUMMARY

"great capacity for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe someone's ability or potential to do something well or handle a large amount of something. Example: John has a great capacity for leadership, demonstrated by his ability to motivate and guide his team towards success. In this sentence, "great capacity for" emphasizes John's strong ability or potential to be a successful leader. Other examples of using this phrase could include: - She has a great capacity for learning, picking up new skills and concepts quickly. - The human brain has a great capacity for memory, allowing us to store vast amounts of information. - The company's success is due to its great capacity for innovation and adapting to changing market trends. - The athlete has a great capacity for endurance, allowing them to run long distances without getting tired.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Deer, like these plants, have a great capacity for change.

The New York Times

Gardeners, more than most, have a great capacity for optimism.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"He has a great capacity for communication and persuasion".

The New York Times

He liked people and he had a great capacity for friendship.

The Guardian

"There's a great capacity for open-captioning to expand nationwide," she said.

The New York Times

He has a great capacity for evaluating, and analysing a situation and is very charming.

The Guardian - Money

Fenby shows that below the carapace he had a great capacity for feeling pain.

The Guardian - Books

Nevertheless, he had a great capacity for delight once he had been persuaded to travel abroad.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Lindsay has the great capacity for looking as if he enjoys being on stage.

The Guardian

Because, luckily for him, Hall also has a great capacity for silliness.

The Guardian

"Play and eat and roam about in pairs and show a great capacity for happiness.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "great capacity for" to highlight a strong potential or inherent ability. Ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is capable of.

Common error

Avoid using "great capacity for" with concrete nouns that denote physical space. Instead, use it for abstract concepts like learning, empathy, or change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great capacity for" functions as a noun phrase acting as a prepositional complement. It modifies a noun or pronoun to specify the potential or ability someone or something possesses, as evidenced by examples in Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "great capacity for" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote significant potential or ability. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it appears frequently in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. When writing, it's best to use this phrase to describe abstract abilities, avoiding concrete nouns that refer to physical space. Alternatives such as "enormous capacity for" or "substantial potential for" can be used for variety. Understanding these nuances will help writers use "great capacity for" effectively in their communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enormous capacity for

Replaces "great" with "enormous", emphasizing a very large capacity.

remarkable ability to

Shifts the focus to "ability", stressing the power to perform a specific action.

considerable aptitude for

Substitutes "capacity" with "aptitude", focusing on a natural talent or ability.

immense capability in

Focuses on the power to do something, suggesting significant competence.

substantial potential for

Uses "potential" instead of "capacity", highlighting future possibilities.

exceptional talent in

Emphasizes a high level of skill or gift in a particular area.

vast aptitude towards

Expresses a natural inclination combined with considerable ability.

significant room for

Indicates ample scope or space for something to develop or be accommodated.

profound knack for

Highlights an inherent skill, often implying ease and naturalness.

high degree of

Replaces "great capacity" with "high degree", focusing on extent or intensity.

FAQs

How can I use "great capacity for" in a sentence?

Use "great capacity for" to describe someone or something that has a significant ability or potential in a particular area. For example, "She has a "great capacity for learning" new languages".

What are some alternatives to saying "great capacity for"?

You can use phrases like "enormous capacity for", "considerable aptitude for", or "substantial potential for" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to use "great capacity for" in formal writing?

Yes, "great capacity for" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a grammatically sound and widely understood phrase.

What's the difference between "great capacity for" and "great ability to"?

"Great capacity for" implies potential or inherent capability, while "great ability to" refers to demonstrated skill or competence. The former suggests untapped possibilities, whereas the latter indicates current proficiency.