was capable of doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was capable of doing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's ability or potential to perform a specific action or task in the past. Example: "Despite the challenges, she was capable of doing the work efficiently and effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I knew my abilities, what I was capable of doing.

The New York Times - Sports

"The judges knew what I was capable of doing.

The New York Times - Sports

I knew I was capable of doing it.

The Guardian - Sport

"I had doubts whether I was capable of doing the job," he said last year.

The Guardian - Sport

Undeterred, Kahn kept saying that Germany was capable of doing something special in the World Cup.

The New York Times - Sports

If Ronald Reagan was capable of doing it, Schwarzenegger can definitely do the job".

The New York Times

"I knew what I was capable of doing," Ms. Bailey said in the article.

The New York Times

"I knew whatever I was doing, I was capable of doing it.

The New York Times - Sports

DeBoer said Clarkson was capable of doing more than fighting or scoring.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm totally comfortable with what I was capable of doing and what I'm leaving behind".

The New York Times

And it did this before the parent team, Red Bull, was capable of doing so.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was capable of doing" to emphasize a past ability or potential that existed, especially when discussing overcoming challenges or achieving specific goals. For example, "Despite the initial setbacks, she "was capable of doing" the work effectively."

Common error

Avoid using "was capable of doing" when referring to present or future abilities. Instead, use "is capable of doing" or "will be capable of doing" to maintain accurate tense usage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was capable of doing" functions as a verb phrase indicating past ability or potential. It connects a subject with the ability to perform a specific action, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Sport

18%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was capable of doing" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase to express a past ability or potential. As Ludwig AI indicates, its primary function is to connect a subject with the capacity to perform a specific action in the past. It is commonly found in news and media contexts, maintains a neutral to professional tone, and can be replaced with alternatives like "had the ability to do" or "was able to perform" depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Be mindful of using the correct tense to avoid errors and ensure clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had the ability to do

Focuses on the inherent ability rather than the action itself.

was able to perform

Emphasizes the successful completion of an action.

could accomplish

Highlights the achievement of a task or goal.

was equipped to handle

Suggests preparedness and suitability for a specific situation or task.

possessed the means to execute

Focuses on having the necessary resources or tools for execution.

was in a position to undertake

Indicates a favorable situation or opportunity to start something.

had the capacity to achieve

Highlights the potential for reaching a certain level or outcome.

was qualified to carry out

Emphasizes the necessary skills or credentials for a specific task.

was suited to fulfill

Indicates an appropriate match between skills and requirements.

was empowered to act

Focuses on having the authority or permission to take action.

FAQs

How can I use "was capable of doing" in a sentence?

Use "was capable of doing" to describe a past ability or potential. For example, "He "was capable of doing" complex calculations without a calculator."

What are some alternatives to "was capable of doing"?

You can use alternatives like "had the ability to do", "was able to perform", or "could accomplish".

Is it correct to say "is capable of doing" instead of "was capable of doing"?

It depends on the time frame you are referring to. "Is capable of doing" refers to a present ability, while "was capable of doing" refers to a past ability. Choose the form that accurately reflects the time frame.

What is the difference between "was capable of doing" and "was able to do"?

"Was capable of doing" emphasizes the potential or inherent ability, while "was able to do" ("was able to do") emphasizes the successful completion or performance of an action. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the ability itself or the accomplishment.