little capacity

USAGE SUMMARY

"little capacity" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something as having restricted ability or resources to do something. For example, "This laptop has little capacity to store large files."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Iran has little capacity to deploy force.

The Guardian - Opinion

A car has little capacity for escaping public scrutiny.

Cornell University

KING: President Obama has shown little capacity to compromise.

Harvard University

Too little capacity and you drop calls and alienate customers.

MIT Technology Review

But he appeared to have little capacity for putting them into effect.

The New York Times

But the century-old system has little capacity to add service.

The New York Times

It is weak and has little capacity left for renewables to connect.

The Guardian - Business

These detention centers also have little capacity for addressing these children's problems.

The New York Times

So far, Nigeria's government has shown little capacity to prevent the fighting from spiraling further.

The Washington Post

Mostly, her lover is elusive and commanding, with little capacity for remorse.

The New York Times - Books

So there is too little capacity in many places where it is now needed.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing limitations, use "little capacity" to convey a nuanced understanding of restricted abilities without sounding overly negative. For example, instead of saying "the old machine is useless", say "the old machine has little capacity for high-volume production".

Common error

Avoid using "little capacity" when a stronger term like "no capacity" is more accurate. Using "little capacity" implies some capability exists, so be precise to avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little capacity" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating a deficiency or limitation in the noun's ability to perform a function or hold something. Ludwig shows various examples where it describes limitations of physical objects, systems, or even abstract concepts like political will.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

34%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "little capacity" is a versatile phrase used to express limitations in various contexts. Ludwig's analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse sources, including news, science, and academic writing. When using "little capacity", consider the specific nuance you want to convey and ensure it accurately reflects the degree of limitation. Remember, as identified in this guide, other terms such as "limited ability" or "scarce resources" might be more appropriate depending on the situation. Ludwig AI supports the proper usage of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insufficient capability

Indicates an inadequate level of competence or power.

limited ability

Focuses specifically on the lack of skill or talent.

inadequate competence

Specifically addresses the lack of sufficient skill to perform a task.

constrained capability

Focuses on limitations imposed on one's ability to act.

scarce resources

Emphasizes the lack of available materials or assets.

meager resources

Implies that the resources available are very small or inadequate.

deficient skill

Emphasizes a lack of necessary skill or expertise.

restricted potential

Highlights the limited scope for future growth or development.

limited scope

Indicates a narrow range or extent of possibilities.

minimal aptitude

Highlights a very small amount of natural ability.

FAQs

How can I use "little capacity" in a sentence?

You can use "little capacity" to describe a limited ability or resource. For example, "The old computer has "little capacity" for running modern software".

What's a good alternative to "little capacity"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "limited ability", "scarce resources", or "insufficient capability".

Is it better to say "small capacity" or "little capacity"?

Both "small capacity" and "little capacity" are grammatically correct, but "little capacity" often implies a degree of inadequacy or insufficiency, while "small capacity" is more neutral in tone.

Can "little capacity" be used to describe both physical and abstract limitations?

Yes, "little capacity" can be used in both contexts. For example, "The hard drive has "little capacity" (physical)" or "The government has "little capacity" to enforce the new regulations (abstract)".