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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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substantive capacity

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantive capacity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal or formal contexts to refer to the ability of a person or entity to engage in a particular action or to hold certain rights or responsibilities. Example: "The court must determine whether the defendant had the substantive capacity to enter into the contract."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The results indicate that increased substantive capacity expansion investment for clean energy (to reduce pollutants emissions) could lead to an increased system cost.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

If by 'rationality' we mean a substantive psychological capacity involving particular desires or dispositions that enable us to respond to reasons, then we have a form of internalism that places substantive constraints on what can and cannot be a reason.

Science

SEP

The state continued to consolidate its institutional role as a mediator through legislation and also through a variety of top-down political mobilization policies to strengthen its substantive mediatory capacity.

The substantive economic capacity of these regional players means that health policy aims, like universal access to healthcare, are likely to come secondary to trade policy aims, like increasing foreign investment that can be gained from medical tourism.

Substantive content, well delivered.

News & Media

BBC

However, the surgeon simply does not possess the substantive functional capacities of a surgeon.

Science

SEP

However, these advantages are likely to more substantive for onsite capacity compared to off-site capacity.

In particular, a substantive reduction in capacity associated with anthropogenic barriers can reduce the effective population size and consequently genetic variation within the population.

FAO following its mandate and comparative advantages, would provide substantive advice and capacity building on specific technical fields and normative matters.

En route, the non-state actors, including donors and NGOs, can play a substantive role, through capacity building of the provincial and district managers for supporting in-service delivery, research and management.

Science

BMJ Open

But the detailed logical discussion starts right away with the concept of suppositio (supposition), i.e., from the capacity of substantive terms to stand for something in a propositional context.

Science

SEP
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantive capacity", ensure the context clearly defines what specific ability or power is being referred to, as it implies a significant and tangible capability.

Common error

Avoid using "substantive capacity" in casual or informal writing. It's more appropriate for formal reports, legal documents, or academic papers where precision and a higher register are expected.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantive capacity" functions primarily as a noun phrase that describes a significant and tangible ability or power. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is usable in formal contexts to refer to the ability of a person or entity to engage in a particular action or to hold certain rights or responsibilities.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantive capacity" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, though relatively rare in occurrence. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is most suitable for formal contexts, referring to a significant and tangible ability or power. The phrase sees usage across a mix of scientific, news, and business contexts. When employing "substantive capacity", ensure the context clearly defines the ability being referenced to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "significant capability" or "real capability" may be considered based on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember that while grammatically sound, using "substantive capacity" in informal writing could sound out of place.

FAQs

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

Use "substantive capacity" to describe a significant and tangible ability or power, such as: "The organization developed a "substantive capacity" for innovation."

What are some alternatives to "substantive capacity"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "significant capability", "considerable potential", or "real capability".

In what kind of documents can I use the term "substantive capacity"?

The term "substantive capacity" can be used in formal reports, legal documents, or academic papers, where a precise and elevated tone is required.

What does "substantive capacity" imply about the ability being described?

It implies that the ability or power is significant, tangible, and has a real impact or effect.

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Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: