it seems capable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seems capable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing an impression or belief about someone's abilities or the potential of something. Example: "After reviewing the project proposal, it seems capable of meeting our objectives and delivering results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Depicting a modestly attired man named Michael Elias Meyer, it seems capable of holding its own against nearly any portrait by Lefèvre's better-known contemporary Jacques-Louis David, thanks to the ineffable ease displayed by artist and sitter alike.

The New York Times - Arts

He's now refined the exploratory manner of "Hôtel des Amériques" to the point where it seems capable of refreshing even the most conventional movie forms.

The New York Times

I never had the chance to do a smoky burnout in the CTS Vsport, but it seems capable of it, if the computer will allow you such foolishness.

The New York Times

Despite strong efforts to control it, the emerald ash borer keeps appearing in different places, and it seems capable of not only wiping out the ash but threatening the classic major-league baseball bat (which is commonly made of ash).

The New Yorker

Blacks are telling each other that vouchers work.It would be foolish to underestimate the power of the educational establishment: it seems capable of absorbing any criticism and neutralising any reforms.

The Economist

There's definitely a sense that Brighton is a city in which it would take an almost superhuman effort to be a misfit: it seems capable of assimilating anybody, up to and including Heather Mills.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Twenty20 has done almost everything it seemed capable of when it hit English grounds, not so much running as flying into the stratosphere, in 2003.

Independent

One early report described this change in MET as capable of altering signaling in NEC [ 45], however more recently this variation was not shown to alter c-Met phosphorylation in NEC [ 46], nor does it seem capable of transforming the Ba/F3 pro-B lymphocyte cell line [ 47].

Acta neuropathologica communications

The United States is a country known for innovation, no-nonsense pragmatism and goal-oriented rationality but it also seems capable of building bureaucracies with choking limitations to creativity, independent problem-solving and critical thinking.

The New York Times

If Gather doesn't get the traction it needs, the founding duo seems capable of changing it up or pivoting to something else.

TechCrunch

It's headed for disaster, and nothing or no one seems capable of righting it.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it seems capable" when you want to express a tentative assessment of someone or something's ability, based on available evidence but without absolute certainty.

Common error

Avoid using "it seems capable" when there is concrete evidence of inability or failure. This phrase is best suited for situations where the ability is plausible but not yet definitively proven.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems capable" functions as an evaluative expression, indicating a perceived or potential ability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to express an impression based on observation rather than a confirmed fact. The examples highlight its usage in assessing potential, from software performance to individual skills.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it seems capable" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for expressing a tentative assessment of someone or something's potential or ability. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and the examples demonstrate its use across various contexts, particularly in news and media and science. While not the most frequent expression, it provides a nuanced way to convey a belief in capability without making a definitive claim. When using this phrase, it's important to avoid overstating the capability and to consider alternative expressions like "it appears able" or "it looks capable" to fine-tune the meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appears able

Replaces "seems" with "appears", focusing on the outward impression of ability.

it looks capable

Substitutes "seems" with "looks", emphasizing visual assessment of capability.

it is seemingly able

Adds "seemingly" to modify "able", highlighting the apparent nature of the capability.

it suggests capability

Uses "suggests" to imply that there are indications of being capable.

it implies competence

Replaces "capable" with "competence", shifting to a formal indication of skills.

it has the potential

Focuses on potential rather than current capability, changing the tone.

it shows promise

Highlights the promising nature of capability, suggesting future success.

it gives the impression of ability

Expresses that the phrase provides a sense of capability or skill, using the term "impression".

it conveys a sense of competence

Conveys the feeling of being capable, with a slight focus on perceived efficiency.

it is thought to be able

Introduces the idea of external opinion and general acceptance.

FAQs

How can I use "it seems capable" in a sentence?

You can use "it seems capable" to express a tentative assessment of someone's or something's ability based on observation or available information. For instance, "After reviewing the data, the new software "it seems capable" of handling the workload".

What are some alternatives to "it seems capable"?

Alternatives include "it appears able", "it looks capable", or "it suggests capability". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "it seems capable" or "it is capable"?

"It is capable" asserts a definite ability, while "it seems capable" suggests an impression or assessment without absolute certainty. Use "it seems capable" when you want to convey a sense of possibility or potential rather than a confirmed fact.

What does "it seems capable" imply about the speaker's knowledge?

Using "it seems capable" implies that the speaker is making an informed judgment based on available evidence but is not entirely certain. It suggests a degree of tentativeness or a need for further confirmation.