in several capacities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in several capacities" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has held multiple roles or functions within an organization or situation. Example: "Throughout my career, I have worked in several capacities, including project manager, team leader, and consultant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

He served in several capacities, including Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President and a member of the Board of Directors.

The New York Times

During the American Revolution, Pickering served in several capacities under General George Washington, among them quartermaster general (1780 85).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Brother of the 7th earl, Henry Percy served both Mary I and Elizabeth I in several capacities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ian served the church in several capacities, including First Mission Council and later as Senior Warden and Capital Funds Campaign Chairman.

The New York Times

Ms. Aharonian served the Armenian General Benevolent Union of America and the ASA in several capacities in the sixties and seventies, and was appointed ASA's first woman chairman.

The New York Times

He started his career at Barclays investment bank and in 1990 he joined Rio Tinto mining company, where he was a director in several capacities.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

He is a Director at the Arab Islamic Bank and serves in various capacities in several community organizations.

Huffington Post

In Germany, several capacity mechanism models have been debated, such as a comprehensive, centrally organised capacity market [93], a decentralised capacity market [94], a focussed capacity market which defines specific criteria to determine what capacities can participate [95], and a strategic reserve which acts as a backup for the EOM [96].

Energy, Sustainability and Society

He joined the Mosler Safe Company in 1952 and served in several executive capacities, eventually becoming President in 1967.

The New York Times

Mr. Dauman served in several previous capacities at Viacom, always as a close ally of Mr. Redstone.

The New York Times

Tim was truly a man "for all seasons," serving UCP/NYC in several management capacities since 1986 and our national association before that.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in several capacities" when you want to concisely indicate that someone has experience in a range of roles or functions within an organization or field. It suggests versatility and broad experience.

Common error

Avoid using "in several capacities" when you actually mean "possessing several capabilities". "Capacities" refers to roles or positions held, while "capabilities" refers to skills or abilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in several capacities" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, typically indicating the manner or extent of someone's involvement or service. Ludwig confirms that it describes the various roles or functions someone has held.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in several capacities" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to describe someone who has held multiple roles or functions. Ludwig confirms its correct usage and provides numerous real-world examples. While similar phrases exist, it's important to use "in several capacities" when you specifically want to highlight the variety of positions held. Be mindful not to confuse "capacities" with "capabilities". Overall, using "in several capacities" effectively enhances clarity and conciseness in professional and formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in various roles

Uses "roles" instead of "capacities", suggesting a focus on distinct functions performed.

in multiple positions

Replaces "capacities" with "positions", highlighting different job titles or ranks held.

in diverse functions

Emphasizes the variety and range of tasks undertaken using "diverse" instead of "several".

in numerous duties

Substitutes "capacities" with "duties", pointing to specific responsibilities.

serving in many roles

Rephrases the expression by using a verb "serving" and changes "capacities" to "roles".

with different responsibilities

Focuses on the different tasks someone is in charge of, shifting from positions to accountabilities.

undertaking varied tasks

Highlights actions performed by using a verb "undertaking" and changes "capacities" to "tasks".

holding several posts

Replaces "capacities" with "posts", which usually refers to job positions.

fulfilling various obligations

Focuses on commitment level of the person or resource instead of functions.

across different areas

Highlights activities performed in different sectors or divisions.

FAQs

How can I use "in several capacities" in a sentence?

You can use "in several capacities" to describe someone who has served in multiple roles or performed various functions within an organization or project. For example, "She served the company "in several capacities", including marketing manager and sales director".

What phrases are similar to "in several capacities"?

Similar phrases include "in various roles", "in multiple positions", or "in diverse functions". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "in several capacities" or "in various capacities"?

"In several capacities" and "in various capacities" are largely interchangeable. Both indicate multiple roles or functions. The choice often depends on personal preference or stylistic considerations.

What's the difference between "in several capacities" and "in several capabilities"?

"In several capacities" refers to different roles or positions someone has held. "In several capabilities" would refer to different skills or abilities someone possesses. The terms are not interchangeable; using the correct term depends on what you want to emphasize.