mental capacity

USAGE SUMMARY

"mental capacity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a person's level of intelligence or their ability to think, reason, or remember. For example: "The psychology test helps to assess a person's mental capacity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We don't have limited mental capacity".

The New York Times

Anything beyond my mental capacity, that's what.

The New York Times

I simply don't have the mental capacity.

The Guardian

I have lost no mental capacity.

The New York Times - Health

Does your mother have mental capacity?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A psychiatrist determined that the patient's mental capacity was impaired.

The New York Times - Health

He also gives Paul an ever-diminishing mental capacity.

The New York Times - Books

Special sections depends on mental capacity of reader.

The New Yorker

The GP questioned her mental capacity to refuse hospitalisation.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There is no doubt Donald has the mental capacity.

The New York Times - Sports

Few studies have examined the mental capacity of sick patients.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or medical contexts, ensure you're using "mental capacity" to specifically denote the ability to understand information, retain it, use it to make a decision, and communicate that decision.

Common error

Avoid using "mental capacity" interchangeably with "mental health". While related, "mental capacity" refers to cognitive abilities, while "mental health" encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mental capacity" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig, it refers to a person's cognitive abilities or their ability to think, reason, or remember. The provided examples demonstrate this function in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Tech

7%

Health

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mental capacity" is a noun phrase that refers to a person's ability to think, reason, and remember. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for use in written English. With a "Very common" frequency, it appears most often in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. It’s important to note that while related to mental health, "mental capacity" specifically refers to cognitive abilities. When using the phrase, particularly in legal or medical settings, it's crucial to accurately convey the ability to understand, retain, and use information to make informed decisions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intellectual capacity

Synonymous with mental capacity, but focuses only on the intellect.

cognitive ability

Focuses specifically on the intellectual functions of the brain.

intellectual capability

Emphasizes the potential for intellectual performance.

capacity for thought

Highlights the general ability to think and reason.

reasoning ability

Highlights the capacity for logical thought and inference.

cognitive function

Refers to the processes involved in thinking and remembering.

mental competence

Implies a sufficient level of cognitive ability for specific tasks.

cognitive resources

Emphasizes the available mental resources for cognitive tasks.

brainpower

Informal term for intellectual ability or capacity.

intellectual prowess

Suggests exceptional skill or talent in intellectual pursuits.

FAQs

How is "mental capacity" typically assessed?

Assessment of "mental capacity" often involves evaluating a person's ability to understand relevant information, retain that information, use the information to make a decision, and communicate their decision. This may be done through cognitive tests or clinical interviews.

What factors can affect a person's "mental capacity"?

Various factors can affect a person's "mental capacity", including age, illness, injury, medication, and psychological conditions. Temporary states like intoxication or severe stress can also impair /s/cognitive+function.

What is the difference between "mental capacity" and /s/mental+competence?

While often used interchangeably, "mental capacity" generally refers to the ability to make a specific decision at a particular time, while /s/mental+competence is a legal term indicating a more global and enduring ability to manage one's affairs.

What are some alternatives to using the term "mental capacity"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "cognitive ability", "intellectual capability", or "reasoning ability" to express similar ideas.