serious capability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serious capability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or substantial ability or skill in a particular area or context. Example: "The new software demonstrates serious capability in data analysis, outperforming previous versions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

In particular, he singled out "NATO's serious capability gaps and other institutional shortcomings laid bare by the Libya operation".

The New York Times

Lithium-ion batteries always suffer from serious capability decay, especially when stored at high temperature and/or for prolonged duration.

Electrochimica Acta

As the leadership team held numerous conversations across the organization about strategy execution, they came to the realization that most midlevel managers and frontline staff perceived serious capability gaps.

Harvard Business Review

Shadow defence secretary Jim Murphy said the wasted time and money had led to a serious capability gap, and meant the UK had paid at least an extra £100m to have no aircraft to fly from the carrier for years.

BBC

A senior Bush advisor, while cautioning that the candidate would reassess all aircraft programs upon entering office, said the governor views the B-2 as a plane with "a very serious capability" that should be "very much in the picture" in future defense planning.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

As a result it had few serious capabilities for the plethora of conventional missions that became readily apparent with the expanding US commitment to southeast Asia.

Wikipedia

After U.S. forces occupied Iraq, it became clear that no serious nuclear capability had been resurrected.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ms. Olson said a serious research capability could answer that and many other questions and help Congress enact a fairer and more effective tax code.

The New York Times

But in their public comments, senior American intelligence officials say they think Iran would not have a serious nuclear capability until the end of that range.

The New York Times

The advocate, Nina E. Olson, also said it was vital that the Internal Revenue Service develop a serious research capability to understand how changes in the economy are affecting taxpayers, the amounts they pay and how some people escape taxes.

The New York Times

There's little evidence ISIS has a serious cyber capability.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the importance of a skill or resource, use "serious capability" to highlight its substantial and impactful nature. This phrase adds weight to your statement.

Common error

Avoid overusing "serious capability" in contexts where a more specific descriptor would be more appropriate. While versatile, it's most effective when a general sense of significant ability is intended, not a precise technical specification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serious capability" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'serious' modifies the noun 'capability'. It indicates a significant or substantial level of ability or capacity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "serious capability" is a grammatically sound and useful phrase for emphasizing a substantial and impactful level of ability or capacity. Ludwig AI confirms this, it is most frequently found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts, implying a versatile yet professional tone. Alternative phrases like "significant capacity" or "substantial ability" can be used depending on the desired nuance. When using this phrase, consider the scope and ensure it appropriately reflects the level and nature of the capability you are describing. Overall, the phrase carries weight and is best used when highlighting consequential abilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant capacity

Replaces "serious" with "significant", emphasizing importance but slightly altering the tone.

high-level competence

Explicitly denotes superior skill or ability.

substantial ability

Substitutes both words to highlight the level of competence.

notable competence

Highlights the observed level of skill or effectiveness.

considerable aptitude

Focuses on innate talent or potential.

profound expertise

Emphasizes deep knowledge and understanding in a particular area.

remarkable proficiency

Emphasizes a high degree of skill achieved through practice.

exceptional talent

Highlights natural ability or gift.

advanced skill set

Focuses on the collection of skills that enable a task.

strong potential

Shifts the focus to future possibilities rather than current ability.

FAQs

How can I use "serious capability" in a sentence?

You might say, "The company invested in developing a "serious capability" in data analytics to gain a competitive edge" or "The military demonstrated a "serious capability" in cybersecurity defense".

What are some alternatives to "serious capability"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "significant capacity", "substantial ability", or "notable competence".

Is it better to say "significant capability" or "serious capability"?

Both "serious capability" and "significant capability" are acceptable, but "serious capability" often implies a more profound or crucial level of ability. "Significant capability" may simply denote importance.

What does "serious capability" mean in a military context?

In a military context, "serious capability" refers to a significant and impactful level of operational readiness, technological advancement, or strategic advantage that can influence outcomes.