capacities

capacities — noun

1. the greatest quantities that places, machines, or systems are able to hold, stor

1.名詞B2
釋義

the greatest quantities that places, machines, or systems are able to hold, store, or produce

例句

The two water tanks have different capacities, so label them clearly.

comparison: different capacities

Our three factories reached their full capacities before the holiday rush.

collocation: full capacities

同義詞
  • volume

    best for physical space inside a container, not production output

  • size

    broader and less exact; can describe overall dimensions rather than how much something holds

  • output

    focuses only on how much a system can produce

文法句型

capacities of [tanks / halls / devices]

at full capacities

storage / seating / production capacities

用法筆記

Often used when comparing more than one container, venue, or production system. For a single object or place, English more often uses the singular capacity.

常見錯誤

❌This bottle has two-liter capacities.
✅This bottle has a two-liter capacity.
💡Use singular capacity for one container; capacities is only for more than one item.
❌The hall capacities is 500 seats.
✅The hall capacity is 500 seats.
💡Use the singular form when you mean one hall's limit.

2. the powers or skills that a person has for doing particular kinds of work or act

2.名詞B2
釋義

the powers or skills that a person has for doing particular kinds of work or activity

例句

The job tests both your creative and your technical capacities.

pattern: creative and technical capacities

Children develop new capacities when they solve daily problems alone.

同義詞
  • abilities

    the most neutral everyday alternative

  • capabilities

    slightly more formal and common in work or technical contexts

  • potential

    emphasizes what could develop, not only what is already shown

文法句型

capacities for [activity]

mental / physical / creative capacities

build / test capacities

用法筆記

Usually modified by words like mental, physical, creative, or technical. Often followed by for when naming the kind of work or skill involved.

常見錯誤

❌She has the capacities of solving it alone.
✅She has the capacity to solve it alone.
💡Use capacity to + verb when talking about one ability.
❌His capacities for this work is weak.
✅His capacities for this work are weak.
💡Capacities is plural, so the verb should be are.

3. the roles or official functions in which someone serves or acts

3.名詞C1
釋義

the roles or official functions in which someone serves or acts

例句

Nila worked with the museum in several capacities over the years.

pattern: in several capacities

The twins met Mauricio first as a coach and later in other capacities.

同義詞
  • roles

    the closest general alternative in everyday English

  • functions

    emphasizes duties or purposes rather than title

  • positions

    often suggests a more fixed job or formal post

文法句型

in different capacities

in legal / personal / professional capacities

serve in many capacities

用法筆記

Most often appears in phrases like in several capacities when one person serves more than one function. Distinguish it from sense 2, which is about ability rather than responsibility or standing.

常見錯誤

❌She served the clinic in different abilities.
✅She served the clinic in different capacities.
💡Use capacities for roles or functions, not abilities.
❌He acted in many capacitys during the event.
✅He acted in many capacities during the event.
💡The correct plural spelling is capacities.