a strange ability to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a strange ability to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an unusual or unexpected skill or talent that someone possesses. Example: "She has a strange ability to remember every detail of a conversation, no matter how long ago it took place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But the 400m hurdles has a strange ability to upset the apple cart; one only needs look at Felix Sanchez's surprise gold in the men's event at the London Games for evidence.

Independent

All his life Ronald Reagan has preserved a strange ability to join in any game, face any row of knives, without the least fear of moral compromise or threat.

The New Yorker

There seemed a strange ability to harken both America the Beautiful as well as America the Plain Jane, and the lovely Protestant backbone in his fiction and essays, when he decided to show it off, was as progressive and enlightened as it was unapologetic.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Whether it's the shaky cam or the people in the districts' strange ability to procure high tech projectors, these guys have a few bones to pick with Katniss' little universe.

Huffington Post

And he is scared by his musical talent and even more by his strange ability to sense the world differently from others: when he hears a note, he knows its colour; when he meets a person, he hears their tune.

The Guardian - Books

Because of its strange ability to capture the beauties and horrors of growing up in a world steeped in aggression and wonder, it's a movie I plan on watching again.

Vice

It has this strange ability to solve problems, first.

The New Yorker

The flares of solidarity seem to wordlessly comment on our strange ability to let the ordinary coexist with the unspeakable.

The New Yorker

Like many of the speakers, Mr. Kline spoke of Mr. Green's strange ability to spin absurd thoughts into graceful and often hilarious lyrics for songs, 17 of which were sung during the two-hour ceremony.

The New York Times

For his part, Wannerton first brought up his strange ability to his parents when he was about 10, he says, because the distraction of constant flavours washing over him made it difficult to read and study for school.

BBC

So when they're used in everyday conversation, they have the strange ability to make women flinch.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a strange ability to", ensure the strangeness is relevant and adds a layer of intrigue or surprise. Avoid using it for ordinary skills.

Common error

Avoid using "a strange ability to" for skills that are generally expected or common. It's more appropriate for talents that are genuinely unusual or unexpected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a strange ability to" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It typically precedes a verb, describing an unusual or unexpected capability. As Ludwig AI indicates, it denotes an uncommon skill or talent.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a strange ability to" is a grammatically correct construction used to describe an unusual or unexpected skill or talent. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides examples from various sources. Predominantly found in News & Media, this phrase highlights unique capabilities, adding intrigue to the subject matter. While alternatives like "an unusual talent for" exist, "a strange ability to" brings its own distinct flavor to descriptive writing, emphasizing the peculiarity of the skill in question.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a peculiar talent for

Substitutes "strange" with "peculiar" and "ability" with "talent", both indicating something distinctive.

a weird talent for

Uses the word 'weird' as synonym for strange, which highlights the bizarreness.

an uncanny knack for

Replaces "strange" with "uncanny" and "ability" with "knack", suggesting a mysterious skill.

an unusual capacity for

Replaces "ability" with "capacity", emphasizing potential.

a surprising skill at

Highlights the unexpected nature of the skill.

a remarkable aptitude for

Emphasizes the exceptional quality of the ability.

an uncommon gift for

Emphasizes the rare or infrequent nature of the ability or talent.

a singular gift for

Highlights the unique and special nature of the ability.

an extraordinary facility with

Replaces "ability" with "facility", suggesting ease and skill.

a mysterious power to

Replaces "ability" with "power", emphasizing the enigmatic or inexplicable nature of it.

FAQs

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

You can use "a strange ability to" to describe an unusual or unexpected talent. For example, "He had "a strange ability to" predict the weather based on the behavior of ants."

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

Alternatives include "an unusual talent for", "a peculiar knack for", or "an uncanny knack for", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a strange ability of" instead of "a strange ability to"?

While grammatically possible in some contexts, "a strange ability to" is generally more common and natural-sounding when describing a skill or talent. "A strange ability of" is more appropriate when referring to a characteristic of something, such as "a strange ability of the human mind".

How do I emphasize the unusual nature of the ability?

You can use stronger adjectives like "uncanny", "extraordinary", or "remarkable" in place of "strange" to further emphasize the unusual nature of the ability. Consider using "an uncanny knack for" or "an extraordinary talent for".