working at full capacity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "working at full capacity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a person, machine, or organization is operating at its maximum potential or efficiency. Example: "The factory is currently working at full capacity to meet the high demand for its products."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

At this time in the morning your brain is rarely working at full capacity.

The Guardian - Sport

"People in our industry are now working at full capacity," Ross J. Pepe, head of the council, said.

The New York Times

Most employees, says Mr Mikitani, have large stores of untapped potential and are not working at full capacity.

The Economist

If you have time to stop for unconscious people, you are obviously not working at full capacity.

The New Yorker

"We are already working at full capacity with declining resources – I just don't know how we will cope with this additional financial blow".

The Guardian

With plenty of sleep, and no hangovers, my brain seems to be working at full capacity and the world at times gets a little strange.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

But Pakistan rarely has enough natural gas for the plant to work at full capacity.

The New York Times

But the turbine — which can generate a kilowatt of power — worked at full capacity both days.

Princeton University

Consequently, Inverkip never worked at full capacity other than during the miners' strike, and it ceased generation completely in 1988.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We want our railroads and ports to work at full capacity so that North Korea's cargo is not going via China but through our territory," she said.

The New York Times

The prospects of radiation and possible chemotherapy make it unlikely that the C.I.A. Director will be able to work at full capacity for several weeks, if then.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an organization's productivity, use "working at full capacity" to emphasize that it is operating at its most efficient level, maximizing output with available resources.

Common error

Be specific about what is "working at full capacity". Avoid vague statements like "the team is working at full capacity" without specifying the project, task, or area where this maximum performance is being achieved. Instead, clarify by saying, for example, "the manufacturing plant is working at full capacity to meet the holiday demand."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "working at full capacity" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the manner or extent to which an action is performed. It describes the state of operating at maximum efficiency or capability. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "working at full capacity" is a versatile phrase used to describe optimal performance or utilization across various domains. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. Its primary function is to convey that something or someone is operating at their maximum potential, often in professional or neutral contexts. While "working at full capacity" is a common phrase, remember to be specific about what is operating at its maximum level to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "operating at maximum capacity" or "functioning at full efficiency" to refine your message. Paying attention to usage patterns and avoiding overgeneralizations will help you use this phrase effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

operating at maximum capacity

Replaces "working" with "operating" and "full" with "maximum", focusing on the operational aspect.

functioning at full efficiency

Substitutes "working" with "functioning" and "capacity" with "efficiency", emphasizing the functional effectiveness.

performing at peak level

Uses "performing" instead of "working" and highlights the idea of a peak performance state.

fully utilized

Shortens the phrase to a more concise form, emphasizing complete utilization.

at maximum output

Focuses on the output or production aspect of the work being done.

running at full tilt

Uses a more informal and idiomatic expression to convey the idea of working at maximum speed and effort.

giving it one's all

Shifts the focus to the effort and dedication being put into the work.

flat out

Is a more concise and colloquial way to say something is working at its maximum.

maxed out

A more modern, informal way of saying "at full capacity".

making the most of resources

Shifts the focus to the efficient management of resources to achieve maximum output.

FAQs

What does "working at full capacity" mean?

The phrase "working at full capacity" means that something or someone is operating at their maximum possible level of activity, efficiency, or production. It implies that all available resources are being fully utilized.

How can I use "working at full capacity" in a sentence?

You can use "working at full capacity" to describe various situations, such as: "The hospital's emergency room is "operating at maximum capacity"", or "The factory is "fully utilized" to meet the increasing demand".

What are some alternatives to "working at full capacity"?

Alternatives include "operating at maximum capacity", "functioning at full efficiency", "fully utilized", or "at maximum output". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "working at full capacity" or "operating at full capacity"?

Both "working at full capacity" and "operating at maximum capacity" are correct and widely used. "Operating" may be more appropriate when referring to systems or machines, while "working" can apply to both people and systems. However, the difference is minimal.