should be capable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should be capable" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to express an expectation that someone is capable of doing something. For example, "We expect that our servers should be capable of handling at least 500 requests per second."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Further, the fraction should be capable of surviving serial passaging, which demonstrates the capability to self-renew.

Evolutionary Applications

It should be capable of daily traverses of as much as 300 feet.

The New York Times

He added, "I should be capable of knowing what my client is blamed for".

The New York Times

"We should be capable of scoring more than two runs in a game, too".

The New York Times - Sports

He should be capable of the levels Dele Alli hit for Tottenham Hotspur last season.

The Guardian - Sport

But he's capable — he should be capable of resuming his activities right away.

The New York Times

(Instead, he says, conventionally-armed cruise missiles should be capable of carrying nuclear weapons).

The Guardian

They show us the extremes of physical achievement we are, or should be, capable of.

The Guardian - Sport

Either method of colour synthesis should be capable of reproducing every existing colour in nature.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Some things are not rocket science and should be capable of resolution with goodwill and good management," Morgan said.

The Guardian

If charges are brought, the case should be capable of standing up to scrutiny by the court," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should be capable", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is expected to do. Be specific about the action or ability in question to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "should be capable" when the capability is uncertain or not yet proven. Instead, use phrases like "could be capable" or "may be capable" to indicate a possibility rather than a certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be capable" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing an expectation, obligation, or likelihood regarding someone or something's ability to perform a specific action or possess a particular attribute. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "should be capable" is a modal verb phrase used to express an expectation or intended ability. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used across diverse contexts, from science and news to formal business settings. While it's crucial to specify the capability in question clearly, overuse can lead to overstatements of certainty. Consider alternatives like "ought to be able to" or "is expected to be capable of" for nuanced expressions. Therefore, while being a very common expression, "should be capable" should be wisely used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to be able to

Replaces "should be" with "ought to be", maintaining a similar sense of obligation or expectation regarding ability. It is a more formal variation.

needs to be able to

Shifts the emphasis to necessity; something "needs to be able to" do something implies a requirement for capability.

is expected to be capable of

Adds a layer of explicit expectation, emphasizing that the capability is anticipated or predicted.

must be able to

Conveys a stronger sense of obligation or requirement; the ability is non-negotiable.

has the capacity to

Focuses on inherent capacity or potential rather than expected performance.

is equipped to

Highlights the resources or tools that enable the capability.

is designed to

Emphasizes the intended purpose or functionality that implies capability.

is qualified to

Specifies that the capability comes from meeting certain standards or requirements.

is in a position to

Suggests capability arising from current circumstances or resources.

can handle

Uses a more informal and direct way of expressing the ability to manage or deal with something.

FAQs

How can I use "should be capable" in a sentence?

Use "should be capable" to indicate an expected ability or capacity. For example, "The new software "should be capable" of processing large datasets efficiently."

What phrases are similar to "should be capable"?

Alternatives include "ought to be able to", "must be able to", or "is expected to be capable of", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "can" instead of "should be capable"?

While "can" expresses ability, "should be capable" implies an expectation or design. Use "can" for general ability, and "should be capable" when referring to a designed or intended function.

What's the difference between "should be capable" and "could be capable"?

"Should be capable" expresses a higher degree of certainty or expectation than "could be capable". "Could be capable" indicates a possibility, while "should be capable" suggests a reasonable expectation based on design or prior performance.