in various capacities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in various capacities" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where people are taking on many different roles or working in different areas. For example, "The volunteers at the soup kitchen worked in various capacities, from preparing food to washing dishes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Slaves in the Ottoman Empire served in various capacities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And she's loved Fred, her primary partner, for 15 years in various capacities.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

From 1976 to 1993, he worked in various capacities in the newspaper industry.

The New York Times

Stanley also spent the last thirty years working in various capacities at Marwit Capital.

The New York Times

Imagined in poignant if not unexpected ways, Lincoln appears throughout the book in various capacities.

The New York Times - Books

The agency has worked for Hallmark Cards in various capacities for about 25 years.

The New York Times

Also cited were the Internet Research Agency, and twelve people working for it in various capacities.

The New Yorker

He has worked in various capacities at the Mail for much of his career.

The New Yorker

About 100 scientists are involved in the project in various capacities.

The Washington Post

He has worked for Montreal in various capacities for 24 years.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

She has served in various capacities in U.S. embassies in France, Nigeria and Sri Lanka.

Johns Hopkins University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in various capacities", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific roles or functions being referenced to provide clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "in various capacities" without providing any context about the specific roles or responsibilities. This can make your writing seem vague and less informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in various capacities" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb, indicating the manner or scope of involvement. It specifies that someone or something is engaged in multiple roles or functions, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in various capacities" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe involvement in multiple roles or functions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. The phrase is particularly common in news and media, academia, and encyclopedias. When using "in various capacities", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific roles or functions being referenced to maintain clarity. Consider alternatives like "in different roles" or "in multiple functions" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in different roles

Focuses on the different positions someone holds, highlighting role diversity.

in multiple functions

Emphasizes the variety of tasks or duties performed.

in diverse positions

Highlights the range of different jobs or assignments.

in several roles

Similar to "in different roles", but suggests a smaller, definite number.

across various duties

Emphasizes the scope of responsibilities covered.

with a range of responsibilities

Highlights having a varied set of duties to handle.

performing varied tasks

Focuses on the different types of work being done.

undertaking multiple assignments

Highlights the number and nature of the projects involved.

fulfilling different functions

Emphasizes completing a variety of operational roles.

serving in different posts

Highlights the variety of official positions held.

FAQs

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

Use "in various capacities" to indicate that someone or something is involved in multiple different roles or functions. For example: "She served the organization "in various capacities", including as a treasurer and a secretary".

What are some alternatives to "in various capacities"?

You can use alternatives like "in different roles", "in multiple functions", or "in diverse positions" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to list specific roles instead of using "in various capacities"?

Listing specific roles provides more detail and clarity. However, "in various capacities" is useful when you want to generally indicate multiple roles without listing each one individually.

What is the difference between "in various capacities" and "in several capacities"?

"In various capacities" implies a wide range of roles, while "in several capacities" suggests a smaller, definite number of roles.