immense capacity for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "immense capacity for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's or something's ability to hold, understand, or manage a large amount of something, such as knowledge, emotions, or resources. Example: "Her immense capacity for empathy allows her to connect deeply with others and understand their feelings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

I believe in the enduring centrality of American power; I don't believe the nation's immense capacity for renewal is exhausted.

The New York Times

It would, in a profound way, show terrorists that their acts of hatred are worthless when framed against mankind's immense capacity for love.

The Guardian

Every so often something comes along to remind us of Congress's immense capacity for self-indulgence at the expense of sound public policy.

The New York Times

His immense capacity for friendship was deeply felt and especially appreciated by his colleagues on the Board and by the artists and staff of the Society.

The New York Times

He was a man of piercing intellect and curiosity, brilliant thought and focused discipline but his greatest gift was his immense capacity for giving of himself to others.

The New York Times

Arriving at KEGS and seeing the students' passion for debate, their love of banter and their immense capacity for leadership, I saw that we had a great opportunity.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

This country's greatness continues to be defined by its immense capacities for change and innovation; perhaps it is needlessly fatalist to believe the current slate of problems to be too much for any administration to handle.

Huffington Post

Given the immense capacity of each, some way or another, to hold one transfixed with delight for hours on end, they readily deserve to be invited to any event, which they would be sure to enhance.

Huffington Post

These results highlight the immense capacity of high-throughput sequencing to discover genes in metabolic pathways.

BMC Genomics

While Dave will always be celebrated for his achievements on the field, his wife, family and friends will warmly remember him as a man of immense passion and unwavering loyalty, with a huge capacity for love.

The New York Times

We decided to use the Solexa platform that is especially suitable for miRNA analysis due to its immense capacity to generate high numbers of short sequence reads with high accuracy.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "immense capacity for", ensure that the noun following 'for' accurately reflects the scale and scope of the ability or potential being described. For example, "immense capacity for innovation" is suitable when discussing significant advancements.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "immense capacity for" when describing minor skills or abilities. Ensure the described attribute genuinely warrants the descriptor 'immense' to avoid exaggeration. For instance, it's better to describe someone with a "great talent for" or an "exceptional skill in" rather than an "immense capacity for" if it doesn't genuinely reflects the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "immense capacity for" functions as a noun phrase acting as a descriptor, indicating a significant ability or potential. Ludwig highlights its use across various contexts to denote a large or unlimited capability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "immense capacity for" is a grammatically correct and neutrally registered expression used to describe a great ability or potential. As shown in Ludwig, this phrase appears across diverse contexts, primarily in News & Media and Science. While not overly common, its usage is well-established. To enhance clarity, ensure the noun that follows aligns with its scale, and avoid overuse in contexts where it's not warranted. When seeking alternatives, consider options such as "vast potential for" or "great ability to". Overall, understanding how to use the phrase effectively can strengthen your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enormous aptitude for

Replaces "capacity" with "aptitude", emphasizing a natural talent or ability.

vast potential for

Substitutes "capacity" with "potential", highlighting future possibilities rather than current ability.

great capability for

Uses "capability" instead of "capacity", focusing on the inherent ability to perform.

substantial talent for

Emphasizes natural ability or skill by using the word "talent".

considerable skill in

Focuses on developed expertise in a particular area.

remarkable facility with

Highlights ease and fluency in handling something.

extensive knowledge of

Shifts focus to the amount of knowledge possessed.

prodigious power for

Emphasizes the strength and force of the ability.

exceptional gift for

Highlights a rare and outstanding natural ability.

significant resources for

Focuses on available resources rather than inherent ability.

FAQs

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

You can use "immense capacity for" to describe a great ability or potential. For example: "The human brain has an "immense capacity for" learning." It suggests a large or unlimited capability.

What are some alternatives to "immense capacity for"?

Alternatives include "vast potential for", "great ability to", or "enormous aptitude for depending on the context".

Is it correct to say "immense capacity of" instead of "immense capacity for"?

While "capacity of" is grammatically correct in other contexts, "immense capacity for" is the standard and more appropriate phrasing when referring to someone's ability or potential. "Capacity of" is more suited for things like the capacity of a container.

What's the difference between "immense capacity for" and "great potential in"?

"Immense capacity for" emphasizes an existing, inherent ability, while "great potential in" highlights the possibility of future development or achievement. "Immense capacity for" describes what is, and "great potential in" describes what could be.