to capitalize on something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to capitalize on something" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate taking advantage of a situation or opportunity for personal gain or benefit. Example: "The company was able to capitalize on the growing demand for eco-friendly products by launching a new line of sustainable goods."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

TechCrunch

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The behaviour OneClass aims to capitalize on is something that's already going on in most schools as it is: Students continually share notes and exam prep with one another.

TechCrunch

Lyft Line is an attempt to capitalize on that, offering something with capacity for up to six passengers designed to pair riders going in the same direction.

TechCrunch

Facebook, Twitter, and startups like Gravity are hoping to capitalize on it — though something tells me that Levchin wants to bring a slice of the interest graph to Google as well.

TechCrunch

Whether it is an organized effort to improve a baby's communication skills or a marketing technique to captivate anxious parents and capitalize on something instinctively known by parents for generations remains a matter of debate.

The New York Times - Health

You don't get to capitalize on the memory of something you don't care enough about to understand.

Huffington Post

"Frasier" does, in fact, capitalize on something that those 1930's and 40's movies reveled in: the special connection between a rather hesitant, girlishly soft, unbelievably innocent man and a more down-to-earth, sharp-tongued, worldly-wise woman.

The New York Times - Arts

The other thing is, and it's a double-edged sword because I live to work, I love it, is that all my life, no matter what happened, I wanted to capitalize on it, turn it into something to move me forward, make my career better.

The New York Times - Magazine

The apparent problem is how to capitalize on the Kramer character yet create something new.

The New York Times - Arts

While stock-trading apps are nothing new on the open-source operating system, Robinhood's new offering is an opportunity to capitalize on those users who likely want something that combines online stock without the fees with a simple and easy-to-understand design.

TechCrunch

Everyone is great at something or can be great at something, so you need to capitalize on that.

Huffington Post

"When you see that he is interested in something, you have to capitalize on that right away".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to capitalize on something" to clearly convey the idea of strategically leveraging an asset or situation for benefit. For example, "The company aimed to capitalize on the new market trend by launching innovative products."

Common error

Avoid confusing "to capitalize on something" with the grammatical term "capitalize", which refers to using capital letters. Ensure the context makes it clear you're discussing leveraging an advantage, not applying a writing convention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to capitalize on something" functions as an infinitive phrase acting as a verb phrase, often indicating the action of leveraging a specific opportunity or advantage. Ludwig AI confirms its usage through examples in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to capitalize on something" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression that conveys the idea of taking advantage of an opportunity or asset. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is versatile, appearing in professional, news, and academic contexts. To avoid confusion, remember that "capitalize" in this context differs from its grammatical usage, relating instead to strategic leveraging. Alternatives include "to take advantage of" or "to leverage". Overall, mastering this phrase can enhance precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to capitalize on an opportunity

Emphasizes the act of seizing a favorable chance.

to take advantage of something

Directly implies benefiting from a situation, sometimes with a negative connotation.

to leverage something

Focuses on using something to achieve a greater outcome.

to make the most of something

Focuses on maximizing the benefits from something.

to exploit something

Implies using something for one's own benefit, often unfairly or selfishly.

to cash in on something

Suggests turning something into a financial gain.

to build on something

Suggests using something as a foundation for further development or success.

to profit from something

Highlights the gain or benefit derived from something.

to harness something

Implies controlling and using something, especially a natural resource, for productive purposes.

to make capital out of something

Similar to "cash in", but might also mean to use something to gain popularity or status.

FAQs

What does it mean to "capitalize on something"?

To "capitalize on something" means to take advantage of an opportunity or situation to gain benefit, profit, or advantage.

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

You can use it to describe how someone or something leverages an advantage, like: "The company decided "to take advantage of" the new technology "to capitalize on" their market share."

What are some alternatives to "to capitalize on something"?

Alternatives include "to take advantage of", "to leverage", "to exploit", or "to profit from". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always ethical to "capitalize on something"?

Whether it's ethical depends on the context and how the opportunity is leveraged. While the phrase itself is neutral, the actions taken to "capitalize on something" can be ethical or unethical. For example, "to exploit" a natural disaster to raise prices would be unethical.