it would be capable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it would be capable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the potential ability or capacity of something in a hypothetical situation. Example: "If we invest in new technology, it would be capable of increasing our production efficiency significantly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

It would be capable of not just negotiating its environment but also intelligently manipulating objects a level of functioning almost equivalent to a human servant.

Forbes

It would be capable of carrying six astronauts; Apollo held three.

The New York Times - Science

On the basis that the proper case is made, I think it would be capable of support.

The Guardian

They believed it would be capable of charging 110 volt and 220 volt systems enough power for about 200 miles of driving on a sunny day.

Columbia University

The concept tanker could operate on long routes — in fact it would be capable of a global round trip, Mr. Richardsen said in an e-mail.

The New York Times

E.P.A. fuel economy ratings for the 1-liter-powered 2014 Fiesta are not yet available, but Mr. Fascetti said it would be capable of more than 40-m.p.g.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

"I believed that I would be capable of it, but I'm not an actor who is gifted with that aptitude for accents.

The Guardian

Whether I would be capable of it, given a set of strictly controlled circumstances, including - but not limited to - a windowless cell; a steady stream of fortifying cups of tea (strong) and Hobnobs (chocolate) and a taskmaster (hard) hovering over my shoulder monitoring my progress, is not known.

The Guardian - Money

DT: I'd be capable of doing it.

The Washington Post

Experts said the warning was timely and showed that companies needed to examine whether their IT systems would be capable of allowing staff to work from home.

The Guardian - Sport

If they could put it all together, they would be capable of beating Atlanta.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it would be capable" to highlight a specific potential or ability that is conditional, rather than stating a fact.

Common error

Avoid constructing overly passive sentences with "it would be capable". Whenever possible, rephrase to use a more active voice, which often makes the sentence more direct and engaging for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it would be capable" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the potential ability or capacity of a subject. Ludwig AI provides examples demonstrating its use in various contexts, from describing the potential of robots to human servants to a spacecraft's ability to carry astronauts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it would be capable" is a grammatically correct and frequently used construction for expressing potential ability in hypothetical or conditional scenarios. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, as well as science and academic writing. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly defining the subject "it" and avoiding overly passive sentence structures. Alternatives like "it would be able to" or variations using "could" or "might" can offer subtle shifts in meaning to better suit your intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it would be able to

A more common and direct synonym, replacing "capable" with "able".

it could be capable

Replaces "would" with "could", suggesting a possibility rather than a certainty.

it might be capable

Uses "might" to indicate a lower degree of certainty compared to "would".

it would have the ability to

Rephrases "capable" with "have the ability to", emphasizing the possession of an ability.

it would be equipped to

Focuses on the preparedness or equipping of something to perform a task.

it would be in a position to

Highlights the state or situation enabling a certain action.

it would be suited to

Implies that something is appropriate or well-matched for a specific purpose.

it would be qualified to

Suggests that something meets the necessary qualifications or criteria.

it would be potent enough to

Emphasizes the strength or power needed to achieve something.

it would be apt to

Suggests that something has a natural tendency or inclination toward a certain action.

FAQs

How can I use "it would be capable" in a sentence?

Use "it would be capable" to describe a potential ability or capacity, often in a hypothetical or conditional situation. For example, "If properly funded, the project "would be capable" of transforming the city's infrastructure".

What's a more concise way to say "it would be capable of"?

Alternatives include "it would be able to", which is a direct synonym, or, depending on context, phrases like "it could" or "it might" can also work.

What is the difference between "it would be capable of" and "it is capable of"?

"It is capable of" describes a current, existing ability, while "it would be capable of" refers to a potential ability under certain conditions or in the future. The choice depends on whether you're discussing a real or hypothetical capacity.

Is "it would be capable to" grammatically correct?

No, the correct form is "it would be capable of". The preposition "of" is required after "capable" when followed by a gerund or noun phrase describing the action or ability.