Cool MateAgency vs Capacity
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Agency
Top 2,000 (common)B2noun
Capacity
Top 2,000 (common)B2noun
| Agency | Capacity | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈeɪdʒənsi/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈeɪdʒənsi/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //kəˈpæs.ɪ.ti//🇺🇸 //kəˈpæ.sɪ.ti// |
| Meaning | The ability to make choices and take action. | How much something can hold or do. |
| Example | She works for an **advertising agency**. | The capacity of the stadium is 50,000 people. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | official, federal, government, through an/the agency, official, federal, government, through an/the agency | full capacity, seating capacity, at capacity, capacity limits |
| Antonyms | powerlessness, ineffectiveness | inability, incapacity |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'agencies' as only organizations; forgets personal meaning., Using 'agency' in plural when referring to the concept of choice., Misunderstanding 'agency' as a physical place only. | Confused with 'capability', which refers to ability rather than volume., Using 'capacity' for individual abilities when 'capability' is more appropriate., Mispronouncing the word with emphasis on the wrong syllable. |
| Usage notes | Used in contexts related to control and decision-making. Can refer to organizations (like an agency) or personal autonomy. Avoid when discussing only organizations. | Used in both formal and informal contexts. Common in discussions about limits or ability. Not typically used in casual conversation unless referring to space or limits. |
Frequently asked questions: Agency vs Capacity
What's the difference between Agency and Capacity?
Agency: The ability to make choices and take action. Capacity: How much something can hold or do.
Are Agency and Capacity the same CEFR level?
Agency: B2, Capacity: B2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Agency and Capacity interchangeably?
Not always. Agency and Capacity are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.