"capable of anything" or "capable of everything"?
2007-03-03 00:03:44 · 7 answers · asked by sagittarius 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
both are technically correct but I would urge you to go for capable of anything:
capable of everything isn't preferable becasue capable gives the sense that someone or something can do something but hasn't yet. Everything encompasses all that already is, so while he may be capable of recreating everything, if it already exists capable isn't the word you should use.
Capable of anything doesn't pre-suppose that it already exists, so it is therefore able to use the word capable in it's fullest meaning.
2007-03-03 00:10:15 · answer #1 · answered by jleslie4585 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I recommend "Capable of anything" because if someone is "capable of everything" that means someone can do EVERYTHING.
2007-03-03 08:12:43 · answer #2 · answered by Don 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To me "capable of anything" has a pejorative ring. I use it when referring to someone unscrupulous who would stop at nothing to get his way.
"Capable of everything" to me has a positive meaning. It means someone who is in charge of the situation, who is able to apply his talents to achieving his aims.
I speak UK English.
2007-03-03 08:34:54 · answer #3 · answered by Doethineb 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Either works but capable of anythign I think sounds better.
2007-03-03 08:06:40 · answer #4 · answered by Betsy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
either one is fine but in my opinion capable of everything sounds more proper.
2007-03-03 09:13:46 · answer #5 · answered by mcc123 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Capable of everything" implies that you already know it all.
"Capable of anything" implies that if you tried to do something, you have a good chance of succeeding.
2007-03-03 08:11:58 · answer #6 · answered by mamasquirrel 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Capable of anything" is most likely what you mean.
But either could be correct, given the context.
God bless.
2007-03-03 08:06:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋