the capstone

USAGE SUMMARY

"the capstone" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to refer to the final piece or culmination of a project or achievement. An example: "Completing the thesis was the capstone of her academic career." Alternative expressions include "the pinnacle" and "the crowning achievement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This is the capstone of his career," she said.

The New York Times

Yet at Tatiana, the capstone is its stage show.

The New York Times - Arts

This post will be the capstone of his career.

The New York Times - Arts

Her performance would be the capstone of a night of glorious firsts.

The New York Times - Arts

Whichever side wins, a sale of Southern Union would be the capstone of Mr. Lindemann's career.

The New York Times

It would be too soon to call the dean's job the capstone of Dr. Fried's career.

The New York Times - Science

And 2011 seems to be the capstone of that recovery from the financial crisis.

The New York Times

Mr. Harman regarded it as the capstone challenge of his diversified career.

The New York Times

Today's announcement by Hachette (whose imprints include Little, Brown) is the capstone of that process.

The New York Times

To a luthier in the thirties, archtops must have seemed like the capstone of guitar development.

The New Yorker

This battle was the capstone of Farragut's career, but poor health precluded further active service.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the capstone" to emphasize the significance of a final project, achievement or event. It adds a sense of completion and importance.

Common error

Avoid using "the capstone" to describe something that is merely a component or step in a larger process, rather than the ultimate culmination of it. It's best used to describe the final, most significant element.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the capstone" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or appositive. It signifies the culminating or most important aspect of something, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the capstone" is a noun phrase used to describe the final and most significant element of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Science. Its purpose is to emphasize the culmination and importance of a particular event, project, or achievement. When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately represents the conclusive aspect and avoids being used for mere components. Alternatives like "the crowning achievement" or "the final piece" can be suitable depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the crowning achievement

Emphasizes the sense of accomplishment and culmination.

the final piece

Highlights the concluding aspect of something.

the culmination

Focuses on the end result of a process or series of events.

the apex

Suggests the highest point or peak of something.

the summit

Similar to "apex", indicating the highest level of attainment.

the ultimate goal

Highlights the intended final outcome.

the last word

Implies finality and decisiveness.

the finishing touch

Focuses on the final detail that completes something.

the keystone

Emphasizes the essential and central nature of the final element.

the pièce de résistance

A borrowed term suggesting the most impressive or remarkable item.

FAQs

How can I use "the capstone" in a sentence?

"The capstone" is used to describe the final, most important part of something, like a project or career. For example, "Completing the marathon was the capstone of his fitness journey".

What can I say instead of "the capstone"?

Alternatives to "the capstone" include "the crowning achievement", "the final piece", or "the culmination", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "the capstone" in formal writing?

Yes, "the capstone" is appropriate for formal writing, as it conveys a sense of importance and finality. It's often used in academic, professional, and journalistic contexts.

What's the difference between "the capstone" and "the keystone"?

"The keystone" refers to a central, essential element, while "the capstone" refers to the final, crowning element. A keystone is necessary for structural integrity, while "the capstone" provides completion and emphasis.