more capable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more capable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to compare someone's or something's greater capability or ability compared to something else. For example, "This new employee is more capable of handling complex tasks than the other workers on the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

More capable.

The New York Times

EADS clearly offers the more capable aircraft.

The New York Times

More transistors mean more capable hardware.

The Economist

Popular people are more capable of that".

The New York Times

The machines are much more capable.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

She was more capable at twelve.

The New Yorker

"Someone more capable," Mr. Ali explained afterwards.

The New York Times

They were becoming more capable than ever.

The Washington Post

He's more capable of that than ever.

The New York Times - Arts

The more capable paid version is available only for Windows.

The New York Times

The women are again far more capable and forceful characters.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more capable" to compare the abilities of two or more entities. Ensure the comparison is clear and specific, avoiding ambiguity about what the subject is capable of.

Common error

Avoid using "more capable" in sentences where the context doesn't clearly define the specific capabilities being compared. Vague usage can diminish the impact and clarity of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more capable" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a higher degree of ability or competence relative to something else. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

27%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

16%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more capable" is a common and grammatically sound comparative adjective phrase used to indicate a higher degree of ability or competence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and widely applicable, particularly in News & Media, Academia and Formal & Business contexts. When using "more capable", ensure the comparison is clear and specific. For alternative phrasing consider "better equipped", "more skilled", or "more proficient".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

better able

A simple and direct way to express increased ability.

more competent

Stresses the ability to adequately perform tasks.

more skilled

Focuses specifically on improved skill level.

more proficient

Highlights advanced competence in a particular area.

better equipped

Emphasizes having the necessary tools or resources.

more adept

Highlights skillful performance or handling of something.

better qualified

Highlights superior qualifications for a specific role or task.

more accomplished

Emphasizes having achieved a high level of expertise.

more talented

Emphasizes natural aptitude or giftedness.

more experienced

Focuses on the advantage gained from practical experience.

FAQs

How can I use "more capable" in a sentence?

You can use "more capable" to show a comparison in ability, for example, "This new model is "more capable" of handling large datasets than its predecessor".

What's a good alternative to "more capable"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "more skilled", "more proficient", or "better equipped". Choose the alternative that best reflects the specific type of ability you want to emphasize.

Which is correct, "more capable" or "capabler"?

"More capable" is the correct form. "Capabler" is not a standard English word. Use "more + adjective" for adjectives with two or more syllables.

What's the difference between "more capable" and "having more ability"?

"More capable" is a concise way to express that someone or something has a greater capacity to perform a task. "Having more ability" is a more general expression, while "more capable" often implies a specific, demonstrated competence. For example the sentence using "more capable" should be more direct and strong, while the other could sound more general and weak.