a small ability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small ability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a minor skill or capability that someone possesses. Example: "Despite having a small ability to play the piano, she still enjoys practicing every day."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

There was little evidence of alterations to magnetic properties in subsurface sediments, resulting in only a small ability of properties to differentiate between surface and subsurface sources.

Geoderma

That is, with a 4/1000 chance of coincidence, the population they tested showed a small ability to control computers with their minds, and visualize things in a different location.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

While adult cardiomyocytes retain a detectable (albeit small) ability to proliferate (Soonpaa & Field, 1997; Malliaras et al, 2013a; Senyo et al, 2013), the role of endogenous progenitor cells in adult cardiomyogenesis is unclear (Laflamme & Murry, 2011; Steinhauser & Lee, 2011; Garbern & Lee, 2013; Koudstaal et al, 2013).

EMBO Molecular Medicine

A composer of no small ability, and no large ability, either, Adorno studied in the nineteen-twenties with Alban Berg, Schoenberg's most gifted pupil.

The New Yorker

Interestingly, Xic1 35 96), which can inhibit overall CDK-kinase activity, has only a small rescuing ability while the C-terminus of Xic1 shows no rescuing ability.

Cardiovascular Research

Small ability to explain variance in HbA1c constitutes a significant limitation of an instrument's use for scientific purposes as well as clinical practice.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

"Even if you had a small percent better ability to react quickly, to rely on your neighbours to help you survive and to pass on information - all these things together gave the edge to Homo sapiens over Neanderthals, and that may have made a difference to survival".

BBC

These findings thus validate, albeit on a small scale, the ability of our approach to detect and localize targets of selection.

Human Genetics

Senator Carl Levin, a Michigan Democrat and a staunch supporter of arms control, counters that so long as an effective missile defense does not create more diplomatic problems than it solves, it could lessen the ability of a small, hostile nuclear power to threaten the West with nuclear blackmail.

The New York Times

It might be argued that the presence of cultural resources at home tends to boost the performance of high-ability students and to have a small impact on low-ability students.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

Then they started us out on a small jump, to determine ability levels.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a small ability", consider the context and choose a more specific term if possible to better describe the nature of the limited skill. For example, instead of saying someone has "a small ability" in mathematics, you could say they have "basic arithmetic skills".

Common error

Avoid overstating the importance of "a small ability". Ensure that the phrase accurately reflects the limited nature of the skill and does not create false expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small ability" functions as an adjective phrase modifying the noun "ability", indicating a limited or minor capability. It describes the extent of someone's skill, as confirmed by Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small ability" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote a limited skill or capability. According to Ludwig, it is suitable for various contexts, with a neutral register. While the phrase is widely accepted, it's essential to consider the specific context to determine if a more descriptive alternative would be appropriate to clarify the precise nature of the limited skill. The analysis of examples confirms its role in conveying a realistic assessment of someone's skill set.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited capability

Emphasizes the restricted nature of the capacity.

modest skill

Highlights the moderate level of expertise.

minor talent

Focuses on a less significant aptitude.

slight aptitude

Implies a minimal natural inclination.

restricted skill set

Indicates a limited range of abilities.

basic competence

Refers to a fundamental level of proficiency.

rudimentary capacity

Suggests an undeveloped or initial stage of ability.

marginal skill

Indicates a skill that barely meets the required standard.

nascent talent

Highlights the emerging nature of the skill.

fledgling capability

Refers to a newly developed or immature ability.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small ability" to describe someone's limited skill in a particular area. For example, "Despite having "a small ability" in coding, he managed to create a basic website."

What are some alternatives to saying "a small ability"?

Alternatives include phrases like "limited capability", "modest skill", or "minor talent" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a small ability in" or "a small ability to"?

Both are grammatically correct, but the choice depends on the following verb. Use "in" with a noun (e.g., "a small ability in math"), and "to" with a verb (e.g., "a small ability to code").

What's the difference between "a small ability" and "a limited ability"?

"A small ability" emphasizes the scale or degree of skill, while "a limited ability" highlights the restrictions or constraints on that skill. They are often interchangeable, but "limited" may suggest external factors affecting the ability.