we must be capable of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we must be capable of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the necessity of having certain skills or abilities to achieve a goal or complete a task. Example: "In order to succeed in this competitive market, we must be capable of adapting to new technologies quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He agrees with Arnold that right "implies inward recognition" that we must be capable of both "seeing" and "willing".

SEP

However, in order to do so, we must be capable of detecting implied scenarios in the presence of rejected implied scenarios, in other words in the presence of behaviour constraints.

Electronic Notes in Theoretical Computer Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Even so, Scotus is enough of an Aristotelian about the functioning of our intellect on this side of heaven to insist that even though our brute acquaintance with those acts is independent of phantasms, the descriptions under which we know those acts must be capable of being captured in a phantasm.

SEP

These big, fleshy cases we're born in must be capable of fending off the doses of potentially harmful bacteria that Hilton and his team speak of, or else, surely, loads of us would just be ill all the time?

Vice

We note that any model must be capable of building a very broad coalition of support," its joint campaign director, Tim Gartrell, said in a statement.

The Guardian

"The defenses we will develop and deploy must be capable of not only defending the United States and our deployed forces, but also friends and allies," the document says.

The New York Times

Further, why should we accept the claim that a source of justification must be capable of being tested for its reliability?

SEP

"The United States must be capable of developing and deploying new capabilities, if necessary, to deter, assure, achieve U.S. objectives if deterrence fails, and hedge against uncertainty".

Vice

We discuss and reject one such assumption, that a person must be capable of verbally explaining her knowledge.

The New York Times

For the joke to emerge, the brain must be capable of holding both ideas at once.

The Guardian - Books

To appreciate parody, you must be capable of holding two contradictory ideas in your head simultaneously.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we must be capable of", clearly state the specific action or skill that is required. This provides context and clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid claiming that "we must be capable of" something without offering supporting details or examples. Credibility is strengthened by backing up claims with tangible proof.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we must be capable of" functions as an expression of necessity related to ability. It outlines a required competency or skill that a subject (in this case, "we") needs to possess. Ludwig AI confirms that it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

54%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we must be capable of" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to highlight necessary abilities or competencies. Ludwig AI indicates that it is suitable for written English. While applicable across various contexts, it frequently appears in professional and formal communications related to strategy, policy, or requirements. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the exact skill or action and providing supporting evidence where possible. Alternatives like "we need to be able to" or "we should have the ability to" can offer nuanced variations depending on the desired level of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we need to be able to

Replaces "must be capable of" with a more direct expression of necessity and ability.

we should have the ability to

Substitutes "must" with "should", softening the obligation while retaining the focus on ability.

it is essential that we can

Emphasizes the essential nature of our capability.

we have to be in a position to

Focuses on being in the right circumstances to perform an action.

we are required to be able to

Highlights the requirement or obligation to possess a certain capability.

we are expected to demonstrate the ability to

Shifts the emphasis to demonstrating existing capabilities, implying an assessment.

we have the potential to

Highlights the potential rather than a current capability.

we are equipped to

Focuses on being properly prepared or furnished to perform a specific action.

we are prepared to

Emphasizes readiness and willingness to undertake a task.

we are competent to

Highlights the level of skill and expertise to be able to perform a specific action

FAQs

How to use "we must be capable of" in a sentence?

Use "we must be capable of" to express a necessary ability or skill for a specific task or goal. For example, "To succeed in this market, "we must be capable of" adapting quickly to change."

What can I say instead of "we must be capable of"?

You can use alternatives like "we need to be able to", "we should have the ability to", or "it is essential that we can" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "we must be capable of" and "we should be capable of"?

"We must be capable of" indicates a necessity or requirement, while "we should be capable of" implies a recommendation or expectation. The former is stronger and more definitive.

When is it appropriate to use "we must be capable of" in formal writing?

It is appropriate in formal writing when outlining essential requirements or abilities that are crucial for achieving a specific objective, especially in strategic planning or policy documents.