would be capable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would be capable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the potential ability or capacity of someone or something to perform a specific action or task. Example: "With the right training, she would be capable of leading the project successfully."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We would be capable of playing it.

The Guardian - Music

…they would be capable of self-modification.

Britannica

I'm not sure that Steve would be capable of murder.

The Guardian

In my imagination, television would be capable of anything.

The New Yorker

No right thinking rocks would be capable of such democracy.

The New Yorker

Ideally, the envisioned technologies would be capable of nondestructive, near-real-time, autonomous process monitoring.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

Almost always, it's not someone you want to believe would be capable of raping you.

The Guardian - Opinion

Within 20 years, our city demanded more urban planning than anyone would be capable of delivering.

The Guardian

It would be capable of carrying six astronauts; Apollo held three.

The New York Times - Science

Each would be capable of working wonders with the other's story line.

The New Yorker

"He would be capable of anything he desires to do," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "would be capable", ensure the context clearly defines the conditions or resources necessary for the capability to be realized. For instance, "With proper training, she "would be capable" of handling the project effectively."

Common error

Avoid using "would be capable" in situations where the capability is highly uncertain or unrealistic. Instead, use phrases like "might be able to" or "could potentially" to convey a more accurate sense of possibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would be capable" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing potential ability or capacity. It indicates that someone or something has the potential to perform a specific action, often contingent on certain conditions. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "would be capable" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to express potential ability or capacity. According to Ludwig, this phrase is frequently found across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal writing. While generally neutral to formal in tone, it's essential to consider the context and choose alternative expressions, like would be able, to avoid overstating capabilities or sounding verbose. By understanding its nuances and usage patterns, you can effectively incorporate "would be capable" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would be able

A more direct and common synonym, focusing on the ability to perform an action.

would have the ability to

Emphasizes the possession of the necessary skills or resources.

would be equipped to

Highlights the preparation or resources needed to handle something.

would be in a position to

Focuses on the circumstances allowing for a particular action.

would be suited to

Suggests a natural aptitude or fitness for a specific task.

would be empowered to

Implies having the authority or permission to act.

could potentially

Expresses a possibility, but with a degree of uncertainty.

might be able to

Similar to "could potentially", indicating a weaker degree of certainty.

could be considered for

Suggests a possibility contingent upon further evaluation.

might have the potential to

Highlights latent capabilities that could be developed.

FAQs

What is a simple substitute for "would be capable"?

A simpler substitute is "would be able", which conveys the same meaning of possessing the ability or capacity to do something.

How does "would be capable" differ from "could be capable"?

"Would be capable" often implies a hypothetical situation or condition that needs to be met, while "could be capable" suggests a possibility that exists without specific conditions. For example, "With training, she "would be capable" (conditional), versus "She "could be capable"" (potential).

Is it better to use "would be capable" or "would have the ability to"?

Both phrases are correct, but "would be capable" is generally more concise and direct. "Would have the ability to" is more emphatic but can sound more verbose.

In what contexts is "would be capable" most appropriate?

"Would be capable" is suitable in contexts where you want to express a conditional ability or potential, often highlighting the necessary resources or training. It is frequently found in news, scientific, and formal business writing.