a genuine ability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a genuine ability" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a skill or talent that is authentic and not fabricated or superficial. Example: "Her success in the competition was a testament to her genuine ability in playing the piano."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It was the idea that maybe there is a young English midfielder around who has a genuine ability to play football of both creativity and authentic power.

Independent

The poetry of cinematography fully realised, combined with a genuine ability to evoke sadness, fear and guilt, make for one of the most emotionally provocative titles ever.

The Guardian - Tech

Throughout her life, Olga demonstrated a tremendous intellectual curiosity in all subjects, but she is most importantly remembered for her moral integrity and a genuine ability to stay focused on true human values.

The New York Times

The coming election will also present voters with a choice, not between two sets of ideas or competing visions for America, but between one party, the Democrats, that has failed to either solve the myriad problems facing America or even demonstrate a genuine ability to govern, and another, the Republicans for whom solving problems and governing are simply not priorities.

Huffington Post

Even so, we don't need another Ronald Reagan in the White House; we need a President that will continue to progress social issues for the greater good of our society, one who connects with young people through social media and has a genuine ability to reach out to minorities and ease the racial tensions plaguing America.

Huffington Post

DF's good performance on Experiment 3.1 might reflect a generally better ability to use absolute disparity in moving stimuli, rather than a genuine ability to use the relative disparity between transparent moving surfaces.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Although it is not directly listed among professional competencies [ 18], it is a rather genuine ability of medical professionals.

BMC Medical Education

Touré's engulfing of Vidic and his shot beneath Edwin van der Sar should serve as the motif of resurgence or, better still, a statement of quite what can happen when a team of genuine ability comes, for one reason or another, off the leash.

Independent

Carrey's anti-hero is, after all, a very clever man, who gets away with a lot of stuff because of a genuine mental ability, which he unfortunately supplements with lies.

The Guardian - Film

There is genuine ability there but he has a long way to go before fulfilling it and could find the Premier League represents a reality check.

The Guardian - Sport

THREE finance professors have devised a new mutual fund rating system that appears to do a better job of separating managers whose performance reflects genuine ability from those whose results depend on luck alone.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a genuine ability" when you want to emphasize the authenticity and lack of artificiality in someone's skill. For example, "Her success stems from her genuine ability to connect with people".

Common error

Avoid using additional adjectives that reiterate the idea of authenticity, such as "a truly genuine ability". This can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a genuine ability" functions as a noun phrase, where "genuine" modifies the noun "ability". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and emphasizes an authentic skill or talent.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a genuine ability" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that emphasizes the authenticity of a skill or talent. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not exceedingly common, it finds usage across diverse contexts, including news media and scientific publications. Alternative expressions include "an authentic skill" and "a real talent". When using this phrase, it is advisable to avoid redundancy by refraining from adding unnecessary qualifiers that reiterate the sense of genuineness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an authentic skill

Replaces "genuine ability" with synonyms, emphasizing authenticity.

a real talent

Substitutes "ability" with "talent" highlighting inherent aptitude.

a true aptitude

Emphasizes natural inclination and skill.

a natural gift

Focuses on innate talent and ease of performance.

an inherent capacity

Highlights the inborn potential or capability.

a demonstrable skill

Emphasizes that the ability can be shown or proven.

a proven competence

Highlights established proficiency.

a legitimate talent

Stresses the validity and authenticity of the talent.

a solid skill set

Focuses on a collection of abilities.

a bona fide aptitude

Uses a more formal term to emphasize the genuineness of the aptitude.

FAQs

How can I use "a genuine ability" in a sentence?

Use "a genuine ability" to highlight a skill that is authentic and not superficial. For instance, "The artist's success is rooted in a genuine ability to capture emotion".

What are some alternatives to "a genuine ability"?

You can use alternatives like "an authentic skill", "a real talent", or "a true aptitude" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "a truly genuine ability"?

Yes, saying "a truly genuine ability" can be redundant because "genuine" already implies truth and authenticity. It's better to simply use "a genuine ability".

How does "a genuine ability" differ from "a learned skill"?

"A genuine ability" implies an innate talent or natural aptitude, while "a learned skill" suggests something acquired through training and practice. They emphasize different aspects of competence.