he is capable of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'he is capable of' is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is used to describe a person's potential skills or abilities. For example: "He is capable of leading the team to victory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

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

"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

Arkansans caution that he is capable of churlishness.

The New Yorker

He is capable of projecting a disarming normality.

The New Yorker

I wonder if he is capable of doing that.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Nothing in Mr Medvedev's behaviour so far suggests that he is capable of such a step.

The Economist

The Sunday Times remarked "Homer is good because, above all, he is capable of great love.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's potential, use "he is capable of" to highlight their inherent abilities rather than their current actions. This emphasizes future possibilities.

Common error

Avoid using "he is capable of" without providing any supporting evidence or context. Overstating someone's potential can lead to unrealistic expectations and undermine credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is capable of" functions as an adjective phrase describing someone's potential or inherent ability to perform a specific action or possess a particular quality. Ludwig confirms its proper grammatical use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

15%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he is capable of" is a common and grammatically correct way to express someone's potential or inherent ability. According to Ludwig, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, and academia. When using this phrase, ensure that you provide context or evidence to support the claim, avoiding overstatements. Consider alternatives like "he is able to" or "he has the ability to" for slight variations in emphasis. Remember, "he is capable of" points to potential, distinct from current skills.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is able to

Simple substitution with a direct synonym, emphasizing ability.

he can

A more direct and concise way of expressing ability.

he has the ability to

Rephrasing to highlight the possession of a skill or capacity.

he has what it takes to

An idiomatic expression indicating the necessary qualities for success.

he is equipped to

Implies preparedness and the necessary resources for a task.

he is competent to

Focuses on the individual's competence and qualification.

he is qualified to

Emphasizes formal qualifications and suitability.

he is in a position to

Suggests he has the opportunity or authority to do something.

he is apt to

Suggests a natural tendency or inclination towards something.

he is equal to

Implies being up to a task or challenge, often after overcoming difficulties.

FAQs

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

Use "he is capable of" to describe someone's potential or inherent ability. For example, "He is capable of great leadership" suggests he has the potential to lead well.

What are some alternatives to "he is capable of"?

You can use alternatives like "he is able to", "he has the ability to", or "he can" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "he is capable of" or "he is capable to"?

"He is capable of" is the correct and grammatically sound phrase. "Capable" requires the preposition "of" when followed by a gerund or noun phrase.

What's the difference between "he is capable of" and "he is good at"?

"He is capable of" indicates potential ability, while "he is good at" implies current skill or proficiency. "He is capable of learning quickly" suggests potential, whereas "he is good at problem-solving" describes an existing skill.