a bizarre ability to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bizarre ability to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unusual or strange skill or talent that someone possesses. Example: "She has a bizarre ability to remember every detail of her dreams, no matter how obscure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Here she moves up to the central role: she is Carrie Wells, who has a bizarre ability to remember everything.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

She has the bizarre ability to give a random seed the squinty eye and say, "I think you need to be planted in warm moist soil" or "I think you need a couple weeks in the freezer and then a good hard tap".

Huffington Post

But you have to admire David Cameron's boundless optimism and bizarre ability to ignore what is happening all around him.

The Guardian

Americans know him as the guy who threatened last summer to secede from the Union, claiming a bizarre constitutional ability to do so that simply doesn't exist, according to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Huffington Post

Saiga soon discovers that Kagura's body fluids, like her saliva, in combination with a certain "virus", can give people bizarre abilities relating to their secret desires, fetishes, and obsessions.

Wikipedia

He is aided in his quest by Alex, a translator with an uncanny ability to mangle English into bizarre new forms; a 'blind' old man haunted by memories of the war; and an undersexed guide dog named Sammy Davis Jr , Jr

The Guardian - Books

Reviewing "Scorned and Swindled" in The New York Times, John J. O'Connor wrote, "Paul Wendkos directs with an unerring ability to make the decidedly bizarre seem almost comfortably commonplace".

The New York Times - Arts

It's a great ability to have.

The New York Times

That's a great ability to recover.

Los Angeles Times

When Greg Daniels's wife took him to see the play, he was struck by Kaling's bizarre but impressive ability to persuade the audience that she was Ben Affleck.

The New York Times - Magazine

This novel repeats the stand-out achievements of The Virgin Suicides: an ability to describe the horrible in a comic voice, an unusual form of narration and an eye for bizarre detail.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's unique talent, use "a bizarre ability to" to add an element of intrigue or surprise. This can make your writing more engaging and memorable.

Common error

While "a bizarre ability to" can be effective, avoid overuse. Too many instances of 'bizarre' can dilute its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your descriptions with synonyms like 'unusual', 'peculiar', or 'strange'.

Linguistic Context

As an adjective phrase modifying 'ability', "a bizarre ability to" functions to describe a particular quality of someone's capabilities. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's usability in written English, indicating it describes an unusual skill or talent. The phrase sets expectations of the subject having quirky or uncommon capabilities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

9%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bizarre ability to" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes an unusual or strange skill. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not exceptionally common, it appears consistently in news, media, and wiki contexts. When writing, be mindful of overuse and consider alternatives to keep your writing engaging. This phrase effectively adds intrigue to descriptions of unique talents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

An unusual capacity for

Replaces 'bizarre ability' with 'unusual capacity', focusing on inherent potential rather than strangeness.

A strange talent for

Substitutes 'ability' with 'talent' and 'bizarre' with 'strange', highlighting a natural aptitude that is peculiar.

A peculiar skill in

Replaces 'ability' with 'skill' and 'bizarre' with 'peculiar', emphasizing expertise that is odd or unconventional.

An odd aptitude for

Substitutes 'ability' with 'aptitude' and 'bizarre' with 'odd', suggesting a natural inclination towards something unusual.

A remarkable knack for

Replaces 'bizarre ability' with 'remarkable knack', shifting focus to a skillful ease in doing something surprising.

An uncanny gift for

Replaces 'ability' with 'gift' and 'bizarre' with 'uncanny', emphasizing a mysterious and exceptional talent.

A singular power to

Replaces 'bizarre ability' with 'singular power', emphasizing a unique and potent capability.

A curious facility with

Substitutes 'ability' with 'facility' and 'bizarre' with 'curious', highlighting an intriguing ease or dexterity.

An exceptional flair for

Replaces 'bizarre ability' with 'exceptional flair', emphasizing a stylish and unusual talent.

A preternatural capacity to

Replaces 'bizarre ability' with 'preternatural capacity', suggesting a talent beyond what is normal or natural.

FAQs

How can I use "a bizarre ability to" in a sentence?

Use "a bizarre ability to" to describe a unique or strange talent that someone possesses. For example: "She has "a bizarre ability to" remember every detail of her dreams."

What's a good alternative to "a bizarre ability to"?

Consider alternatives like "an unusual talent for", "a strange knack for", or "a peculiar skill in" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say 'a bizarre ability at' instead of "a bizarre ability to"?

While grammatically possible, it is less common. "A bizarre ability to" is generally preferred and more widely used. You might say 'an ability at' if you're specifying a direct skill (e.g., 'an ability at coding'), but with 'bizarre', 'to' usually sounds more natural.

What kind of tone does "a bizarre ability to" convey?

"A bizarre ability to" suggests a talent or skill that is not only unusual but also somewhat strange or unexpected. It can add a sense of mystery or intrigue to your description.