show a capability

USAGE SUMMARY

"show a capability" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It typically implies the ability to demonstrate proficiency or expertise in a certain skill or task. For example, "She showed her capability for organization by quickly reorganizing the office space."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

On the other hand, Williams, a 6-foot-2-inch sophomore, has shown a capability and willingness to take over a game and remake it with his determination.

The New York Times - Sports

Consumers are eager for options to simplify cooking, yet few meal-kit services "have shown a capability to turn a profit," a recent RBC Capital Markets report notes.

The Washington Post

In the detection distance task, one subject showed a capability of detection larger than 200 m with the linear strategy.

International Congress Series

The Gekkota was established in the Old World tropics by at least mid-Cretaceous31, and Late Jurassic basal gekkonomorphs (Eichstaettisaurus schroederi and Ardeosaurus digitatellus) already showed a capability for scansorial locomotion32.

Nature

The test results indicate that under lateral compression, the foam filled flax/epoxy tubes deformed showing a capability of spreading the deformation.

Composites Part B: Engineering

This device showed a capability of detection of 9.9 and 19.9±0.9 µM (n=4 α=β=0.05) and a precision of 4.9% and 10.3% in terms of relative standard deviation for Put and Cad, respectively.

Talanta

"Volgograd shows a capability against that city but this can't translate to Sochi where Russian military operations and greater distance from Dagestan will pose a greater challenge," their assessment reads.

BBC

So, who has shown a capability of stopping Griner and company?

Huffington Post

However, he has gradually shown a capability for physicality and to hit opposing players hard.

Wikipedia

Interestingly, both the intact and derivative FcγRIIIa products showed a capability to bind IgG1.

Glycobiology

While astrocytes show a good capability repairing in many CNS processes, they are also capable of secreting inflammatory factors such as cytokines and chemokines, which aggravate brain damage [ 39].

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "show a capability" with quantifiable results or examples to strengthen the statement and make it more convincing.

Common error

Avoid using "show a capability" in overly general or vague situations where the specific skill or ability isn't clear. This can weaken the impact of your statement. Always provide a specific context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "show a capability" functions as a verb phrase used to indicate that someone or something is demonstrating an ability or skill. According to Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable phrase. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

27%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "show a capability" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the demonstration of a particular skill or ability. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is appropriate across different contexts, ranging from science and news to general knowledge. While the frequency of the phrase is classified as uncommon, its function is to emphasize the existence of demonstrable competence. When writing, remember that "show a capability" carries a neutral to formal tone and can be enhanced by including quantifiable results or concrete examples. As a writing tip, avoiding overuse in vague contexts will add impact to the phrase. Semantically related alternatives such as "demonstrate an ability" or "exhibit a capacity", can be considered for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demonstrate an ability

Emphasizes the act of proving one's skill.

exhibit a capacity

Highlights the potential or inherent skill.

display competence

Focuses on the level of skill shown.

reveal a talent

Implies a natural aptitude being shown.

prove proficiency

Stresses providing evidence of one's skill level.

establish credentials

Focuses on verifying one's skills or qualifications.

unveil potential

Highlights the display of undeveloped capabilities.

illustrate skill

Emphasis is on providing a clear example of the skill

portray adeptness

Focuses on showing skill in a particular situation.

present expertise

Highlights the presentation of specialized knowledge.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "show a capability" in a formal setting?

In formal contexts, you can replace "show a capability" with alternatives such as "demonstrate an ability", "exhibit a capacity", or "display competence".

What are some synonyms for "show a capability" that emphasize potential?

To emphasize potential, consider using phrases like "reveal a talent" or "unveil potential". These highlight the display of abilities that may not be fully developed.

How does "show a capability" differ from "prove proficiency"?

"Show a capability" suggests a demonstration of skill, while "prove proficiency" implies providing concrete evidence or verification of one's skill level. The latter is a stronger statement.

Is it better to say "show a capability" or "demonstrate capabilities"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "demonstrate capabilities" is a more general statement about overall abilities, while "show a capability" highlights a specific instance or example of a particular skill. "Show a capability" is better when you want to focus on a specific instance where someone or something demonstrated a particular skill.