the capital of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the capital of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to the primary city or town of a particular country, state, province, or region. For example, "Rome is the capital of Italy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Rabat is the capital of French Morocco.

The New Yorker

The capital of Mongolia is? Ulaanbaatar.

The New York Times

Writer visited Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan.

The New Yorker

castle in the capital of Vaduz.

The New Yorker

The capital of the nomós is Trípolis.

Encyclopedia Britannica

the capital of eastern Bengal and Assam.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Greetings from N'Djamena, the capital of Chad.

The New Yorker

"Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.

The New York Times

Maiduguri is the capital of Bornu state.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The capital of Greenland is Nuuk (Godthåb).

Encyclopedia Britannica

First, Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a country or region, clearly identify “the capital of” to provide geographical and political context for your readers.

Common error

Avoid assuming your audience knows the capital of a region or country. Always explicitly state "the capital of" followed by the location to prevent confusion, especially when discussing lesser-known areas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the capital of" serves as a determiner identifying a specific noun (a place) as the primary administrative, political, or economic center of a region or country. It sets up a clear relationship between the place and its governing entity, as Ludwig's examples confirm.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

22%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the capital of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote the primary administrative center of a region, state, or country. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is accurate and suitable for various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating both "the capital of" and the location to avoid any ambiguity. For alternatives, you might consider "the seat of government in" or "the primary city of" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. "The capital of" remains a clear and widely understood way to provide geographical and political context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the seat of government in

This alternative emphasizes the governmental function located in the specified place.

the administrative center for

Focuses on the administrative duties and organizational role of the place.

the primary city of

Highlights the urban importance and dominance of the location.

the leading metropolis in

Stresses the metropolitan character and prominence of the specified area.

the political hub of

Emphasizes the political activities and central role of the place.

the main urban area in

Underscores the city's role as a significant population and activity center.

the chief town of

Highlights the town's leadership role within a specific region.

the central location for

Focuses on the geographical and functional centrality of the place.

the principal city within

Emphasizes the city's importance and superiority compared to other cities in a region.

the heart of

Emphasizes that the city is the core or the most important part of something.

FAQs

How can I use "the capital of" in a sentence?

Use "the capital of" to specify the primary administrative center of a region. For example, "Paris is "the capital of France"".

What are some alternatives to saying "the capital of"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "the seat of government in", "the administrative center for", or "the primary city of".

Is it correct to say "capital city of" instead of "the capital of"?

While "capital city" is sometimes used, "the capital of" is more common and grammatically standard. Using "capital city" can be redundant, as "capital" already implies a city.

What is the difference between saying "the capital of X" and "X's capital"?

Both phrases are correct and have the same meaning. "The capital of X" is slightly more formal, while "X's capital" (e.g., "Italy's capital") is more concise and often used in less formal contexts.