most capable of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most capable of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has the highest level of ability or competence in a particular area. Example: "Among all the candidates, she is the most capable of leading the project to success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Humans are the species most capable of such consideration.

Yale University

The player most capable of causing havoc is Douglas.

The New York Times - Sports

Voters judged Mr Romney most capable of easing their pain.

The Economist

In reality, Mr. Ahmadinejad may be the most capable of standing up to Tehran's hard-liners.

The New York Times

He is also the person most capable of thinking simultaneously in political and military terms.

The Guardian

Gladstone's first Cabinet (1868 74) was perhaps the most capable of the century.

Britannica

Which down-bracket teams appear most capable of a surprising run?

The New York Times

The schools most capable of meeting the country's growing education needs are the for-profits.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's safe to assume that he arranged his finances in a manner most capable of withstanding public scrutiny.

The New Yorker

But does anyone believe that the current front-runners are the people most capable of leading this country?

The New York Times

And it is Washington, not Buenos Aires, that is most capable of resolving the latest financial impasse.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer this phrase when you want to imply a comparison among different people, groups or things based on skills and abilities.

Common error

Avoid using "most capable of" without a specific context. Saying someone is simply "most capable" is vague. Clarify what they are most capable of doing to provide meaningful information. For instance, avoid saying "He is the most capable man" and prefer "He is the "most capable of solving complex problems"".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most capable of" functions as a superlative adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate the highest degree of ability or competence. As shown by Ludwig, it's used to compare individuals, entities or objects, to assign the superiority in terms of competences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "most capable of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote superior ability or competence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and highlights its versatility across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. To ensure clarity, always specify the context of capability. Alternatives such as "best equipped for" or "most qualified for" can be used to fine-tune the meaning. Steer clear of overgeneralization and specify what the subject excels at to construct meaningful and effective sentences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most suited to

Focuses on appropriateness or fitness for a particular purpose.

most qualified for

Highlights formal qualifications and experience.

best equipped for

Emphasizes the resources or tools available, rather than inherent ability.

most adept at

Focuses on dexterity and skill in performing tasks.

most proficient in

Emphasizes skill and expertise in a specific area.

most skilled at

Focuses on the level of skill and expertise applied to a task.

best positioned to

Indicates a favorable strategic advantage.

most likely to succeed in

Predicts future success based on current abilities and circumstances.

the strongest candidate for

Suggests the individual or option is superior to others.

the leading expert in

Highlights specific competence.

FAQs

How can I use "most capable of" in a sentence?

Use "most capable of" to indicate the highest level of ability or competence within a specific context. For instance, "She is the "most capable of handling the project"" shows she has superior ability in project management.

What's a good alternative to "most capable of"?

Alternatives include "best equipped for", "most suited to", or "most qualified for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "most capable to" or "most capable of"?

"Most capable of" is the correct and idiomatic phrasing. "Most capable to" is grammatically incorrect. Always use "of" to connect "capable" with the action or quality being described.

What does "most capable of" imply?

The phrase "most capable of" implies that, among a group or set, the subject has a superior level of skill, knowledge, or aptitude to perform a particular task or function. It suggests a comparative advantage in ability.