highly capable

USAGE SUMMARY

"highly capable" is a legitimate and grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that is capable of performing a task or tasks exceptionally well. For example, "She is a highly capable teacher who always takes the time to help her students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He is obviously a highly capable man.

The New York Times

The lieutenant governor, Richard Ravitch, is highly capable.

The New York Times

The wages are indeed abominable, paid to highly capable people.

The Guardian - Money

MOI has proven itself highly capable of maintaining internal security.

The Guardian

Many of them are no doubt highly capable people.

The Economist

"These are highly capable people in the field," Mr. Henderson said.

The New York Times

He said Iraqi forces have become "highly capable" after working alongside American troops.

The Guardian

Highly capable organisations have clearly defined leadership criteria that they communicate and apply consistently.

The Guardian

Its dancers are highly capable, although not more so than scores of others in the field.

The Guardian

An audacious figure whose legacy split public opinion, Geng is nevertheless widely regarded as "highly capable".

The Guardian

"It's very evident that this is a highly professional, highly capable independent board," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "highly capable" to describe individuals, teams, or systems that demonstrate a proven ability to perform complex tasks effectively and efficiently. Ensure the context clearly indicates the area of competence being highlighted.

Common error

Avoid using "highly capable" in overly casual or informal settings where simpler terms like "skilled" or "good" would be more appropriate. The phrase carries a degree of formality that may seem out of place in everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly capable" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a high level of ability or competence. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is used to describe entities that possess significant skill or potential. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in describing people, systems, and organizations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "highly capable" is a frequently used adjective phrase that effectively conveys a high level of skill or competence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English. Its usage spans across various contexts, with a stronger presence in news and media, science, and encyclopedia sources. While the phrase is versatile, it's best suited for neutral to professional settings, where its formality aligns with the tone of the communication. Consider alternatives such as "extremely competent" or "exceptionally skilled" to add nuance to your writing. Ludwig examples show that "highly capable" is used to describe people, organizations, and systems, indicating its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly proficient

Synonymous, but offers a slightly different phrasing.

expertly skilled

Highlights expertise in a specific skill.

extremely competent

Emphasizes competence as the primary attribute, suggesting a strong level of skill.

exceptionally skilled

Highlights the skill aspect, implying a level of expertise beyond the ordinary.

remarkably proficient

Focuses on proficiency, suggesting a noticeable level of expertise and efficiency.

eminently qualified

Suggests a strong level of qualification for a specific role.

outstandingly talented

Emphasizes innate talent, suggesting a natural aptitude for the task at hand.

supremely qualified

Highlights the qualifications and credentials, suggesting suitability based on formal training or experience.

distinctly talented

Emphasizes a noticeable level of talent.

masterfully adept

Implies a high degree of skill and control, suggesting a masterful command of the subject.

FAQs

How can I use "highly capable" in a sentence?

You can use "highly capable" to describe someone or something that performs exceptionally well. For instance, "She is a "highly capable" engineer" or "The new system is "highly capable" of handling large datasets".

What are some alternatives to "highly capable"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "extremely competent", "exceptionally skilled", or "remarkably proficient" as alternatives to "highly capable".

Is "highly capable" formal or informal?

"Highly capable" is generally considered a more formal phrase. In informal contexts, you might prefer using simpler terms like "skilled" or "good at".

What's the difference between "highly capable" and "very capable"?

"Highly capable" implies a greater degree of skill and competence than "very capable". While both indicate competence, "highly capable" suggests a superior level of performance.