is he capable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is he capable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when questioning someone's ability or competence in a specific task or situation. Example: "Before assigning him the project, I need to know: is he capable of handling such responsibilities?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

So the challenge presented by this twist of history was really twofold: Is God the god of history, is he omnipotent, is he capable of all, can he in fact impose and effect His will, and if so then what about his covenant with the patriarchs and his covenant with David?

Yale University

well, is he capable of whispering?

The New Yorker

The question with Camby is not so much is he capable of playing effectively but rather is he capable of staying healthy.

The New York Times - Sports

Because I wanted to see, is he capable of giving it all as an actor?

The New York Times

Why is he capable of finding pleasure in his solitary game?

The New York Times - Books

It was at this point that I was sure I saw signs of McEnroe's... well, is he capable of whispering?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

"Was he capable of this?

The Washington Post

Was he capable of more?

The Washington Post

Was he capable of flipping a negative into a positive?

The Washington Post

But he's capable — he should be capable of resuming his activities right away.

The New York Times

Because he looks like he is capable but he isn't.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is he capable" to inquire about someone's potential or competence in a specific situation, especially when assessing their suitability for a task or role.

Common error

Avoid using "is he capable" in simple, everyday scenarios where a more straightforward question like "can he?" would suffice. Overusing it can sound overly formal or even condescending.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is he capable" functions as an interrogative clause, specifically designed to question or inquire about someone's ability or competence to perform a specific task or fulfill a certain role. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

15%

Sports

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is he capable" serves as a grammatically sound and commonly used interrogative phrase to evaluate someone's ability or potential in a specific context. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. While versatile, it's best used when assessing suitability for a task or role, avoiding overuse in simple contexts where more direct questions would suffice. Alternatives include "is he able to" or "can he". It appears most frequently in news and media, followed by academia and sports contexts, indicating its broad applicability across various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is he able to

Replaces "capable" with "able", focusing on general ability.

can he

A more direct and concise way to ask about someone's capability.

does he have the ability

Emphasizes the presence of a specific skill or talent.

is he up to

Suggests a challenge or task that requires specific competence.

is he equal to

Highlights the person's capacity to meet certain demands or expectations.

is he qualified

Focuses on whether the person possesses the necessary credentials or experience.

is he competent

Addresses the person's overall effectiveness and skill.

is he equipped

Questions if someone has the necessary tools, resources, or qualities.

is he strong enough

Highlights physical or mental strength as a requirement.

is he prepared

Asks if someone is ready and equipped with what is needed for something.

FAQs

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

You can use "is he capable" to inquire about someone's ability to perform a task or fulfill a role. For example, "Is he capable of leading the team effectively?" or "Is he capable of handling the pressure?"

What are some alternatives to "is he capable"?

Some alternatives include "is he able to", "can he", "is he qualified", or "is he competent", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "is he capable of" grammatically correct?

Yes, "is he capable of" is grammatically correct. The preposition "of" is typically used after "capable" when followed by a noun or gerund (verb ending in -ing). For example, "Is he capable of understanding the instructions?"

What is the difference between "is he capable" and "is he able to"?

"Is he capable" generally implies a higher degree of skill or competence, while "is he able to" suggests a more basic level of ability. "Capable" often indicates the potential to perform well, whereas "able" simply indicates the possibility of performing the task.