he is capable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is capable" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to someone's ability or competence to do something. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as describing a person's skills, traits, or potential. Example: "John is a highly capable leader, able to handle challenging situations with ease."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is capable and confident.

The Guardian

He is capable of great things.

Yale University

He is capable of doing it.

The New York Times - Sports

He is capable of scoring that amount.

The Guardian - Sport

But he is capable of candor there, too.

The New Yorker

Arkansans caution that he is capable of churlishness.

The New Yorker

"But he is capable of turning on his daughter.

The New York Times

Though he is capable of improvising, Enfield also prepares.

The New York Times - Sports

He is capable of projecting a disarming normality.

The New Yorker

I wonder if he is capable of doing that.

The New York Times

At times, he is capable of an almost electric empathy.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he is capable" to express someone's inherent ability or potential, not just their current actions. For example, "He is capable of great leadership", implies a latent ability.

Common error

Avoid using "he is capable" when the subject clearly lacks the basic requirements or resources. Saying "He is capable of flying a plane" when he has no training is an overstatement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is capable" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating someone's inherent or demonstrated ability to perform a task or possess a certain quality. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it's widely used to express potential and competence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

17%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he is capable" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe someone's ability or potential. Ludwig's AI confirms its validity, and the many examples demonstrate its widespread use across various contexts, including news, academia, and sports. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to use the phrase accurately, ensuring that the subject has a realistic capacity for the described action or quality. Exploring alternatives like "he is able to" and "he has the ability" can enhance writing precision and avoid overstatements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he has the ability

Focuses directly on possessing the skill or power to do something.

he is able to

A more straightforward and common alternative, emphasizing the capacity to perform an action.

he is competent

Highlights the quality of being adequately qualified or capable.

he possesses the skills

Emphasizes the specific skills needed for a task.

he is qualified

Indicates that he has the necessary qualifications or experience.

he is up to the task

Suggests he is prepared and ready to handle a challenge.

he is equal to

Implies he is a match for the demands or requirements of a situation.

he has what it takes

An idiomatic expression meaning he has the necessary qualities for success.

he is apt

Suggests a natural inclination or talent for something.

he is in a position to

Highlights that he has the resources or authority to take action.

FAQs

How can I use "he is capable" in a sentence?

You can use "he is capable" to describe someone's ability or potential to do something. For example, "He is capable of solving complex problems" or "He is capable of leading the team".

What are some alternatives to "he is capable"?

Some alternatives include "he is able to", "he is competent", or "he has the ability", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "he is capable to"?

No, the correct phrasing is "he is capable of" followed by a noun or gerund (verb ending in -ing). For example, "he is capable of learning new things" is correct.

What's the difference between "he is capable of" and "he is likely to"?

"He is capable of" indicates that someone has the ability or potential to do something, while "he is likely to" suggests a high probability that someone will do something. Capability refers to ability, likelihood refers to probability.