Cool MateCapability vs If it showed potential
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Capability
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
If it showed potential
Top 2,000 (common)
| Capability | If it showed potential | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌkeɪpəˈbɪləti/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌkeɪpəˈbɪləti/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ɪf ɪt ʃoʊd pəˈtɛnʃəl//🇺🇸 //ɪf ɪt ʃoʊd pəˈtɛnʃəl// |
| Meaning | The ability to do something. | If it seemed likely to succeed or improve. |
| Example | Her capability as a leader impressed everyone at the meeting. | The project showed potential to transform the local community. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | advanced, enhanced, limited, demonstrate, have, possess, beyond somebody’s capability, within somebody’s capability, capability for, advanced, enhanced, limited, demonstrate, have, possess, beyond somebody’s capability, within somebody’s capability, capability for | show potential for growth, show potential in skills, show potential to succeed |
| Antonyms | incapability, inability | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'capacity' which refers to volume or quantity., Using it as a verb instead of a noun., Misplacing the emphasis in pronunciation. | Confusing potential with actual achievement., Using 'show' instead of 'showed' when talking about the past. |
| Usage notes | Use 'capability' in professional or academic contexts to discuss skills or potential. It's not commonly used in casual conversations. | Use this phrase to discuss something that has capabilities or signs of future success. It's suitable for formal and informal discussions. |
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Frequently asked questions: Capability vs If it showed potential
What's the difference between Capability and If it showed potential?
Capability: The ability to do something. If it showed potential: If it seemed likely to succeed or improve.
Can you show an example of each?
Capability: Her capability as a leader impressed everyone at the meeting. If it showed potential: The project showed potential to transform the local community.
Can I use Capability and If it showed potential interchangeably?
Not always. Capability and If it showed potential 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.