to capitalize

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to capitalize" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to use uppercase letters at the beginning of a word or phrase. Example: "She always forgets to capitalize her name on official documents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"You have to capitalize.

The New Yorker

You got to capitalize.

The New York Times - Sports

"They have to capitalize right away".

The New York Times

"That was something we wanted to capitalize".

The New York Times - Sports

"We just need to capitalize on it.

The New York Times

Dealers are trying to capitalize, too.

The New York Times

We're going to capitalize on that.

The New York Times

Now the party is looking to capitalize.

The New York Times

"We want to capitalize on that attention".

The New York Times - Arts

And Navarro planned to capitalize.

The New York Times - Sports

"We've got to capitalize while we can".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to capitalize" when you want to emphasize the act of taking advantage of a situation or resource to achieve a positive outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "to capitalize" in passive constructions where the agent performing the action is unclear or missing. Ensure the sentence clearly indicates who or what is capitalizing on something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to capitalize" primarily functions as an infinitive verb phrase. It describes the action of leveraging a situation or resource. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to capitalize" is a grammatically sound and prevalent infinitive verb phrase used to convey the act of leveraging opportunities or resources for positive outcomes. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is widely accepted and used across diverse contexts. While frequently found in News & Media and Formal & Business settings, it maintains a neutral to professional tone. Remember to use it actively and be mindful of potential negative connotations associated with opportunism. Alternatives include "to take advantage of", "to profit from", and "to leverage", each offering subtle nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to make the most of

Highlights maximizing the positive aspects of a situation.

to seize the opportunity

Highlights the act of quickly grasping a chance.

to take advantage of

Emphasizes exploiting an opportunity, sometimes with a negative connotation.

to benefit from

Implies receiving an advantage or positive outcome.

to leverage

Implies using something to its maximum potential.

to turn to one's advantage

Suggests cleverly transforming a situation into a beneficial one.

to profit from

Focuses specifically on gaining financial benefit.

to cash in on

Specifically refers to converting something into monetary gain.

to build upon

Focuses on using existing progress as a foundation for further growth.

to exploit

Can suggest using something unfairly or selfishly.

FAQs

How can I use "to capitalize" in a sentence?

You can use "to capitalize" to mean taking advantage of an opportunity, as in: "The company aimed "to capitalize" on the growing demand for electric vehicles".

What are some alternatives to "to capitalize"?

Alternatives include "to take advantage of", "to profit from", or "to leverage", depending on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use "to capitalize on"?

While generally acceptable, consider the context. "To capitalize on" can sometimes imply opportunism or taking advantage of a negative situation. Choose a more neutral alternative if needed.

What's the difference between "to capitalize" and "to exploit"?

"To capitalize" typically suggests using resources or opportunities effectively for mutual benefit, while "to exploit" often implies selfishly or unfairly taking advantage of something or someone.