sense of capability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sense of capability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's perception of their own abilities or skills in a particular context. Example: "After completing the training program, she developed a strong sense of capability in her role as a project manager."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

developing a student׳s sense of capability, purpose, resourcefulness, identity and connectedness (five-senses of success) are key factors that may be important in predicting student satisfaction and progression within their university program.

Midwifery

And that sense of competence in overcoming the day-to-day problems of your job is the same sense of capability and effectiveness you'll want to bring to your job hunt.

Huffington Post

We live in a country in which people have a better chance of learning geometry and using it to gain a sense of capability by designing in the virtual world Second Life (even if they are an employee at Walmart) than in geometry class in a "regular" school.

Huffington Post

For example, meeting a patient with a condition and applying your communication skills and understanding how to take histories…" [M2M02: teaching + 2] Those respondents who reported lacking this opportunity, also lacked a sense of capability.

BMC Medical Education

It will also give you a sense of capability and provide you with a visual reminder of both what you've accomplished and what tasks remain.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

We have argued that financial capability is not a capability in the sense of the Capability Approach, but this is not in itself a flaw; those using the term financial capability do not need to make such a claim.

BMC Public Health

If Burt's Lincoln is a Rawlsian liberal seeking something like the basic requirements of justice, he is also someone with a tragic sense of "negative capability".

The New York Times - Books

However, I can see what it is about him that gets people hot under the collar: as you say, that no-nonsense way with a ball of dough, the sense of manly capability he exudes.

The Guardian - Opinion

But I kept thinking to myself "is this something I would really use?" As I stated, I was skeptical, but vowed to use it enough to get a real sense of its capability.

TechCrunch

Drawing on Keats' sense of negative capability, we can see how the ambiguities poetry provides space for are integral to speaking out against extremity: they resist the easy dogma of authoritarianism.

Huffington Post

All three of these challenges should remind boards of how important it is to develop a true sense of the capabilities of the leaders who constitute the top three or so levels of a company.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sense of capability" to describe a feeling of competence and effectiveness, particularly when referring to personal or professional growth. It's useful in contexts where individuals are developing their skills and confidence.

Common error

Avoid using "sense of capability" when referring to factual or proven skills. The phrase implies a subjective feeling, so reserve it for scenarios where the feeling is more relevant than objective competence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sense of capability" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It describes an individual's perception or feeling of their own ability to perform effectively. Ludwig provides examples that demonstrate this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sense of capability" is a noun phrase used to describe an individual's perception of their own abilities and competence. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts, although somewhat uncommon. It most frequently appears in News & Media and Science sources, with a neutral register. Alternatives include "feeling of competence" and "awareness of ability". When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the subjective feeling of competence rather than an objective assessment of skills.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling of competence

Focuses more on the emotional aspect of being capable.

awareness of ability

Highlights the conscious recognition of one's skills.

belief in one's capacity

Emphasizes the conviction and confidence in one's potential.

confidence in one's skills

Stresses the assurance and self-reliance derived from possessing certain skills.

perception of competence

Deals with how one views their own competence, which may not always align with reality.

assurance of proficiency

Highlights a strong guarantee and certainty about being proficient.

understanding of potential

Focuses on the comprehension of one's latent abilities and future possibilities.

recognition of expertise

Emphasizes the acknowledgment of one's specialized knowledge or skill.

appreciation of talent

Highlights the understanding and admiration for inherent abilities.

grasp of mastery

Focuses on the thorough comprehension and control over a particular skill or subject.

FAQs

How can I use "sense of capability" in a sentence?

You can use "sense of capability" to describe someone's perception of their own abilities or skills, as in, "The training program gave her a stronger "sense of capability"."

What's a good alternative to "sense of capability"?

Depending on the context, alternatives like "feeling of competence" or "awareness of ability" can be suitable replacements.

Is "sense of capability" the same as "feeling of capability"?

While similar, "sense of capability" implies a more general awareness, while "feeling of capability" emphasizes the emotional aspect of being capable.

When is it appropriate to use "sense of capability" over "skill"?

"Sense of capability" is appropriate when you want to highlight the subjective perception or confidence in one's abilities, rather than objective skill level.