run out of capacity

USAGE SUMMARY

"run out of capacity" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a situation where something has reached its limit in terms of resources, energy, knowledge, or other factors. For example, you could say, "The local homeless shelter has run out of capacity and will not be able to take any new people until more funding is made available."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

"We've run out of capacity.

The New York Times

But they will run out of capacity eventually.

The Economist

In any case, we'll run out of capacity soon enough.

The Washington Post

The human body and mind can only handle so much before they run out of capacity.

The New Yorker

You dilute your own productivity and you run out of capacity to get important things done.

Harvard Business Review

By many estimates, existing cross-border pipelines will not run out of capacity until sometime between 2015 and 2017.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Also appearing before the committee, the director general of the British Chambers of the Commerce David Frost said high-speed rail was needed since the UK was "running out" of rail capacity while demand for rail services was rising.

BBC

The Y560d can be configured with up to 8GB DDR3 memory and up to 750BG HDD storage so users don't have to worry about running out of hard drive capacity when saving their favorite movies, music and games.

TechCrunch

Running out of steam.

The Economist

Running out of runners.

Los Angeles Times

Networks are not in danger of running out of capacity just yet.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "run out of capacity", ensure the context clearly indicates what is reaching its limit, whether it's physical space, resources, time, or even someone's mental or emotional capabilities. Providing specific details enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "run out of capacity" in overly vague situations. Instead of saying, "We're running out of capacity," specify what capacity is being exhausted: "We're running out of data storage capacity" or "We're running out of the team's bandwidth to handle new requests."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "run out of capacity" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating that a resource, whether physical or abstract, has been exhausted or reached its limit. Ludwig provides examples across diverse domains that confirm its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "run out of capacity" is a versatile phrase used to indicate the exhaustion of a resource, be it physical space, data storage, or even emotional bandwidth. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly found across a variety of contexts, particularly in news, science, and business publications. While the phrase enjoys a neutral to professional register, writers should be mindful of providing specific details about what is running out of capacity to ensure clarity. By considering related phrases and avoiding overgeneralization, you can effectively incorporate "run out of capacity" into your writing. Overall, Ludwig affirms that it is a useful and acceptable expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reach maximum capacity

Indicates attaining the highest limit, focusing on the endpoint rather than the process of depletion.

exceed available resources

Highlights that needs surpass the existing resources, shifting emphasis to the demand exceeding supply.

deplete existing reserves

Focuses on the act of using up reserves, emphasizing the diminishing of a finite supply.

exhaust all options

Emphasizes the end of possibilities rather than physical resources, expanding the concept to include strategies or solutions.

max out resources

An informal way to say that all available resources have been used.

reach the limit

Emphasizes hitting an upper boundary or constraint.

be stretched to the limit

Suggests a state of being overextended, close to or at the breaking point.

become fully booked

Specifically refers to scheduling or booking limitations, useful in contexts such as events or appointments.

reach saturation point

Implies that no more can be added or absorbed, often used in scientific or technical contexts.

become overburdened

Highlights being excessively burdened or loaded, often in a system or organizational context.

FAQs

How can I use "run out of capacity" in a sentence?

You can use "run out of capacity" to describe situations where a resource, space, or ability is fully utilized. For instance, "The server will "run out of capacity" if we don't upgrade it soon" or "The homeless shelter has "run out of capacity" and cannot accept more people".

What are some alternatives to "run out of capacity"?

Some alternatives include "reach maximum capacity", "exceed available resources", or "deplete existing reserves". The best choice depends on the specific context. For example, you might say "The venue has "reached maximum capacity"" instead of saying it has "run out of capacity".

Is it correct to say "running out of capacity"?

Yes, "running out of capacity" is the present continuous tense of the phrase, indicating that the capacity is being depleted over time. It's perfectly acceptable to use in sentences like "We are "running out of capacity" to store all the new files".

What's the difference between "run out of capacity" and "run out of space"?

"Run out of capacity" is a broader term that can refer to limitations in various resources, including space, time, bandwidth, or even emotional reserves. "Run out of space" specifically refers to the physical or digital area available for storage.