a measure of ability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a measure of ability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the assessment or evaluation of someone's skills or competencies in a particular area. Example: "The exam serves as a measure of ability for students in mathematics, helping teachers identify those who may need additional support."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

The bank's core Tier 1 ratio, a measure of ability to weather financial shocks, fell slightly to 10.9 percent.

The New York Times

Using time as a measure of ability, it was shown that slicing while debugging improves a debugger's ability to localize the program fault area.

Science of Computer Programming

But a more profound objection relates to Thornhill's obdurate belief that IQ is a true measure of "crystallised general intelligence" rather than just a measure of ability to perform in IQ tests.

The Guardian - Opinion

And many people besides advocates of affirmative action have also worried about the limits of the SAT (or of any multiple-choice test) as a measure of ability, much less of merit more broadly conceived.

Princeton University

Nothing, perhaps, could have expressed the modern Spain's disdain for orthodox centre-forward play, for their disregard of goalscoring as a measure of ability, than the fact that Fernando Torres won the golden boot – a moment of high-concept satire to rank alongside Henry Kissinger winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Guardian - Sport

Credit Suisse said the steps would increase its core Tier 1 capital ratio, a measure of ability to weather financial shocks, to 9.4 percent by the end of the year, compared with 7 percent at the end of the second quarter.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The resolving power, or resolution, of a mass spectroscope is a measure of its ability to separate adjacent masses that are displayed as peaks on the detector.

Britannica

They also increased their cardiovascular endurance, a measure of their ability to exercise.

The New York Times

"It's simply a measure of our ability to bring profit to our employers".

The New York Times

A material's dielectric constant is a measure of its ability to store electrical energy.

The Economist

Coal permeability is a measure of the ability for fluids to flow through coal structures.

International Journal of Mining Science and Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a measure of ability", ensure the context clearly defines what specific ability is being assessed. For example, instead of saying "the test is a measure of ability", specify "the test is a measure of mathematical ability".

Common error

Avoid using "a measure of ability" as a definitive judgment of someone's overall potential. A single measure rarely captures the full spectrum of an individual's capabilities, which are often multifaceted and context-dependent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a measure of ability" functions as a noun phrase that identifies something as an assessment tool or indicator of someone's capacity to perform a specific task or set of tasks. As indicated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a measure of ability" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for describing how a specific tool or criterion is used to assess someone's competence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is appropriate across various contexts, although it often leans toward more formal settings like science, news, and academia. When writing, be sure to clearly define what specific ability is being assessed to avoid oversimplification. Consider alternatives like "an assessment of capability" or "an indicator of competence" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an assessment of capability

Replaces "measure" with "assessment", shifting the focus to evaluation rather than quantification.

an indicator of competence

Substitutes "ability" with "competence", implying demonstrated skill or knowledge.

a gauge of proficiency

Uses "gauge" instead of "measure", suggesting a more approximate or subjective evaluation.

a yardstick for skill

Employs "yardstick", a more informal term than "measure", implying a standard for comparison.

an evaluation of potential

Shifts the focus from current ability to future capacity.

a criterion for aptitude

Replaces "ability" with "aptitude", emphasizing inherent talent or inclination.

a metric of performance

Uses "metric", a term often used in business and data analysis, suggesting a quantitative evaluation of performance.

a standard for talent

Focuses specifically on talent, implying a high level of natural ability.

an index of capacity

Substitutes "ability" with "capacity", indicating potential or maximum performance.

a benchmark for expertise

Uses "expertise" emphasizing specialized knowledge and skill.

FAQs

How can I use "a measure of ability" in a sentence?

You can use "a measure of ability" to describe how something assesses a particular skill or competence. For example, "The exam is "a measure of ability" in mathematics".

What are some alternatives to "a measure of ability"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "an assessment of capability", "an indicator of competence", or "a gauge of proficiency" to convey a similar meaning. These options offer slightly different nuances in terms of evaluation and skill level.

Is it better to say "a measure of skill" or "a measure of ability"?

Both "a measure of skill" and "a measure of ability" are correct, but they emphasize different aspects. "Skill" implies acquired expertise through training or experience, while "ability" suggests a natural or inherent talent. Choose the term that best fits the specific context.

What's the difference between "a measure of ability" and "a measure of achievement"?

"A measure of ability" refers to the potential or capacity to perform a task, whereas "a measure of achievement" indicates the actual level of accomplishment or success attained. They assess different aspects of performance: potential versus realized outcomes.