who are capable of

USAGE SUMMARY

"who are capable of" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a group of people who have the ability or skill to achieve something. For example: - "We need to hire employees who are capable of multitasking and working under pressure." - "Only those who are capable of thinking outside the box will be able to solve this problem." - "I have a team of highly trained professionals who are capable of handling any project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Are there any nonfamily members who are capable of taking over?

The New York Times

That requires adults who are capable of being, well, adults.

The New York Times

I'm with guys who are capable of so much more".

The New York Times

How do liberal democracies produce citizens who are capable of governing themselves?

Cornell University

Qualifications: Detail-oriented, responsible, mature individuals who are capable of careful and meticulous data collection.

University of California, Berkeley

They are persuaders who are capable of propagating messages through the force of their character.

Stanford University

But we've got guys who are capable of stepping in and keeping our ship above water".

The New York Times - Sports

All three courses will produce entrepreneurial graduates who are capable of setting up their own businesses.

The Guardian

I mean, RICO was designed to prosecute people who are capable of violent and murderous behavior.

The New Yorker

There are other people who are capable of running the city of New York".

The New York Times

'They are people who are capable of some terrible things,' Thompson says.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "who are capable of", ensure the sentence clearly specifies the action or task they are capable of performing to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences where it's unclear who or what the subject is acting upon. Reword to use a more active voice, which often results in a clearer and more direct sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "who are capable of" functions as a relative clause, specifically an adjective clause, that modifies a noun or pronoun. It provides additional information about the people being discussed, indicating their abilities or potential. Ludwig AI shows the phrase is widely used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

32%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "who are capable of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used relative clause that describes individuals based on their abilities or potential. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. While generally neutral in tone, it can be adapted to formal or informal settings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the action or task they are capable of performing and avoid overuse of passive voice. Alternatives such as "who are able to" or "who have the ability to" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Remember that "capable" emphasizes ability, while "responsible" implies duty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

who are able to

A more direct and simpler alternative, emphasizing basic capability.

who have the ability to

Highlights the inherent potential and power to perform an action.

who can

A concise and informal way to express the same idea.

who are competent to

Focuses on possessing the required skills or knowledge.

who are qualified to

Implies meeting specific criteria or standards for a task.

who are equipped to

Emphasizes preparedness and having the necessary tools or skills.

who are suited to

Emphasizes the fit or appropriateness for a particular role or task.

who are in a position to

Highlights the advantageous circumstances enabling action.

who are empowered to

Suggests having been given the authority or resources to act.

who are apt to

Indicates a natural tendency or inclination towards a certain action.

FAQs

How can I use "who are capable of" in a sentence?

You can use "who are capable of" to describe individuals or groups possessing the skills or ability to perform a specific action. For example, "We need team members "who are capable of" handling complex projects".

What are some alternatives to "who are capable of"?

Alternatives include "who are able to", "who are equipped to", or "who have the ability to". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "who are capable of" or "who can"?

"Who are capable of" is generally considered more formal than "who can". "Who can" is a more direct and informal way to express the same idea, while "who are capable of" implies a more considered assessment of abilities.

What's the difference between "who are capable of" and "who are responsible for"?

"Who are capable of" refers to having the ability or skill to do something, while "who are responsible for" indicates an obligation or duty. You might be "who are capable of" performing a task, but not "who are responsible for" it.