substantial capacity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial capacity" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe the ability or potential for something to have a significant impact or influence on a situation or outcome. For example: - "The new technology has a substantial capacity to increase efficiency in the workplace." - "The company's substantial financial resources give them a competitive capacity in the market." - "As a leader, it is important to have a substantial capacity for empathy to understand and connect with your team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

"In the U.S., Australia and Europe, there's a very substantial capacity to adapt to the effects on food — with money, technology, research and development.

The New York Times

A spokeswoman for the district attorney said that despite Mr. Perez's delusion, he was still criminally responsible because "he did not lack substantial capacity to know that the conduct was wrong".

The New York Times

This "new evidence," the judge said, "shows a clear withholding of substantial capacity during the relevant period, which clearly indicates an exercise of market power by El Paso Pipeline".

The New York Times

A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said that there were enough places for those being sent to prison, including in young offender institutions, following the riots: "There is substantial capacity in the prison system.

The Guardian

Mr. Garofalo said the industry already had built substantial capacity based on an earlier, voluntary target of 5.75percentt biofuels by 2010, and he accused legislators of showing bad faith by calling for even weaker targets.

The New York Times

Data on cancer or other health risks from radiation have, from Hiroshima and Chernobyl onward, revealed a substantial capacity in humans and other species to endure quite substantial exposure.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

In many countries, substantial capacity-building efforts would have to be undertaken to provide this information according to globally applicable standards, with sufficient quality and in a geographically explicit manner - if possible.

Carbon Balance and Management

Thus, this method preserves the clinical content of the image without the need for assessment, prevents eavesdropping and collusion attacks, and obtains a substantial capacity-robustness tradeoff with simple operations.

Journal of Biomedical Informatics

The nanocomposite electrode was capable to deliver stable specific capacities at various current rates and recover substantial capacities without obvious capacity decline when returning to lower current rates.

Nanoscale Research Letters

A country participating in a future REDD mechanism of the UNFCCC has to demonstrate substantial capacities for monitoring and accounting emissions from forest carbon stocks.

Carbon Balance and Management

They have substantial capacities, but they are severely stretched and resources are patently insufficient.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an ability or resource, use "substantial capacity" to emphasize its significant impact or potential.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "substantial capacity" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "a lot of potential" or "plenty of room" for informal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial capacity" functions as a noun phrase that describes the extent or degree of an ability, quantity, or resource. Ludwig provides examples where it is used to express significant potential or capability across various domains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial capacity" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that denotes a significant amount or degree of an ability, quantity, or resource. As indicated by Ludwig, it's prevalent in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to formal registers, and simpler alternatives may be preferable in casual settings. Using "substantial capacity" effectively involves emphasizing the significance or impact of the described entity. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in diverse scenarios, from describing production capabilities to predicting retinopathy. Remember to choose alternative phrases like "significant capability" or "considerable potential" based on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant capability

Emphasizes the ability to perform or achieve something significant.

marked ability

Highlights a noticeable or distinct skill.

considerable potential

Highlights the potential for significant development or achievement.

appreciable power

Focuses on the significant influence or force that something possesses.

extensive resources

Highlights the availability of a wide range of resources to support an endeavor.

remarkable aptitude

Emphasizes a natural talent or ability for something.

large volume

Focuses on the physical quantity or amount that can be held or processed.

notable competence

Stresses a high level of skill or ability in a particular area.

sizeable facility

Focuses on the large scale or extent of a resource or infrastructure.

ample room

Indicates a generous amount of available space or opportunity.

FAQs

How can I use "substantial capacity" in a sentence?

You can use "substantial capacity" to describe something that has a significant ability or potential. For example, "The new factory has a substantial capacity for production", or "The program has a substantial capacity to improve people's lives".

What are some alternatives to "substantial capacity"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "significant capability", "considerable potential", or "large volume".

Which is correct, "substantial capacity" or "substantive capacity"?

"Substantial capacity" refers to a significant amount or ability. "Substantive capacity", while less common, implies a more fundamental or essential ability. The choice depends on the intended nuance.

Is "substantial capacity" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "substantial capacity" is appropriate for formal writing. It conveys a sense of significance and is often used in professional, academic, and scientific contexts.