various capacities

USAGE SUMMARY

"various capacities" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to refer to the many different types of tasks and activities someone can do. For example: Our team has members with various capacities, from doing marketing research to web development.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Abramson taught in various capacities at Princeton (2000 01) and Yale (2007 11) universities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Slaves in the Ottoman Empire served in various capacities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And she's loved Fred, her primary partner, for 15 years in various capacities.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

From 1976 to 1993, he worked in various capacities in the newspaper industry.

The New York Times

Stanley also spent the last thirty years working in various capacities at Marwit Capital.

The New York Times

Imagined in poignant if not unexpected ways, Lincoln appears throughout the book in various capacities.

The New York Times - Books

Also cited were the Internet Research Agency, and twelve people working for it in various capacities.

The New Yorker

About 100 scientists are involved in the project in various capacities.

The Washington Post

He has worked for Montreal in various capacities for 24 years.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The agency has worked for Hallmark Cards in various capacities for about 25 years.

The New York Times

After his retirement from professional baseball, he worked for the coal industry in various capacities.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "various capacities" to clearly indicate that someone has experience or involvement in multiple areas, rather than a single, specific role.

Common error

While "various capacities" is acceptable, consider specifying the different roles if known, as that can provide clarity. Instead of saying someone worked in "various capacities", specify if they were a manager, consultant, and advisor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "various capacities" typically functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the manner or role in which someone is involved in an activity or organization. As confirmed by Ludwig, it describes the different types of tasks and activities someone can perform.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

24%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "various capacities" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates someone's involvement in multiple roles or activities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to describe different types of tasks. Its versatility is evident in its occurrence across diverse sources, including news outlets, academic institutions, and encyclopedias. While specific roles can provide more clarity, "various capacities" offers a concise way to convey breadth of experience. Understanding its function and usage patterns can improve writing precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

various functions

Highlights the range of functions performed.

several roles

Emphasizes the number of roles an individual fulfills.

diverse roles

Focuses on the different roles someone might have.

multiple functions

Emphasizes the different functions or duties performed.

multiple responsibilities

Focuses on the number of responsibilities managed.

varied responsibilities

Highlights the different responsibilities held.

different tasks

Highlights the performance of various tasks.

assorted duties

Stresses the variety of duties undertaken.

assorted roles

Stresses the variety of roles fulfilled.

different positions

Refers to holding several different job titles or positions.

FAQs

How can I use "various capacities" in a sentence?

You can use "various capacities" to indicate that someone has worked in different roles or has multiple skills within an organization or field. For example, "She served the company in various capacities, including marketing and sales".

What can I say instead of "various capacities"?

You can use alternatives like "diverse roles", "multiple functions", or "varied responsibilities depending on the context.

Is it better to specify roles or use "various capacities"?

Specifying the exact roles is preferable for clarity. Use "various capacities" when you want to indicate multiple roles without listing them individually or when the specific roles are not the focus.

Which is correct: "in various capacities" or "in a variety of capacities"?

"In various capacities" is more concise and commonly used. "In a variety of capacities" is also correct but can sound slightly more formal.