a good ability to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a good ability to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to a person's capacity or skill to do something. For example, "She has a good ability to communicate clearly and concisely."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All screened bacteria exhibited a good ability to emulsify the crude oil.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

I have a good ability to roll up my sleeves and be with people, not at them.

The New York Times

This is good news for fullback Chris Pressley, who shows a good ability to track linebackers at the second level.

The New York Times

A child with a good ability to delay might sing a happy tune and look around the room while waiting.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The developed numerical model seems to have a good ability to predict the heat flux for the film boiling stage.

Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries

This new parameter seems to provide a good ability to discriminate between the two types of tumor.

Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology

The 3D-QSAR models demonstrate a good ability to predict the activity of the designed compounds (r2 = 0.967, q2 = 0.756).

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry

It also has the best effect on HDL cholesterol as well as an excellent ability to lower triglycerides and a good ability to reduce LDL levels.

Harvard University

Most of us have a good ability to read others and pick up on their moods, and this can be translated into the world of work.

The Guardian

Obama has shown a good ability to combine a realist, power-politics mind-set with a warm appreciation of democracy and human rights.

The New York Times

However, the CoPc-Pt/C after 300 °C or 635 °C heat-treatment demonstrated significant inactivity for MOR, hence they have a good ability to resist methanol poisoning.

Electrochimica Acta

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's capabilities, follow "a good ability to" with a specific verb to clearly indicate the action they perform well. For example, "a good ability to analyze data" is more informative than "a good ability."

Common error

In formal contexts, consider using stronger verbs or more descriptive adjectives instead of "a good ability to" to enhance clarity and impact. Instead of "has a good ability to lead", try "leads effectively" or "demonstrates strong leadership".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good ability to" functions as a noun phrase that describes someone's capacity or skill. It modifies a verb, indicating the extent to which someone is capable of performing a particular action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

59%

News & Media

24%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a good ability to" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe someone's competence or skill in performing a specific action. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid and usable across various contexts. While suitable for both formal and informal writing, consider using more specific or impactful language in highly formal settings. Common contexts include science, news and media, and academic writing. When using "a good ability to", ensure it's followed by a verb to clearly specify the area of competence. Alternatives like "a talent for", "proficient in", and "adept at" can add variety and emphasis to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a talent for

Replaces "ability" with "talent", emphasizing a natural aptitude.

a knack for

Substitutes "ability" with "knack", highlighting an inherent skill or ease.

proficient in

Changes the structure to focus on proficiency, indicating a high level of skill.

adept at

Similar to "proficient", but emphasizes skillfulness.

skilled in

Directly states skill level in a particular area.

competent in

Highlights competence, suggesting adequate capability.

capable of

Indicates the capacity to perform a task well.

well-versed in

Implies extensive knowledge and experience.

has expertise in

Focuses on possessing specialized knowledge or skill.

excels at

Emphasizes exceptional performance or skill.

FAQs

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

Use "a good ability to" to describe someone's capacity or skill in performing a specific action. For example, "The candidate demonstrated "a good ability to communicate" effectively with the team".

What are some alternatives to "a good ability to"?

You can use alternatives such as "a talent for", "proficient in", or "adept at" to vary your language and emphasize different aspects of skill or capability.

Is it always appropriate to use "a good ability to" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a good ability to" can sometimes sound less impactful in formal contexts. Consider using stronger verbs or more precise adjectives to convey the same meaning with greater clarity and force. For example, instead of "She has "a good ability to manage" projects", try "She manages projects effectively".

What's the difference between "a good ability to" and "an ability to"?

"A good ability to" implies a certain level of competence or skill, whereas "an ability to" simply indicates the presence of a capability. Using "good" emphasizes the quality or effectiveness of that ability.