a unique ability to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a unique ability to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's special skill or talent in a particular area. Example: "She has a unique ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"He had a unique ability to bring Afghans together.

The New York Times

He has a unique ability to bridge East and West".

The New York Times

She had a unique ability to make everyone feel special.

The New York Times

Yet Murdoch has a unique ability to reach donors, Republican apparatchiks, pundits and media consumers.

The Guardian

He's got a unique ability to tuck his hands in near his core and rotate".

The New York Times - Sports

"He just has a unique ability to haiku it," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

The BBC has a unique ability to be different – let's embrace this".

The Guardian

The writing system has had other virtues, including a unique ability to transcend time and space.

The New Yorker

Brutalism today has developed a unique ability to cut across class divides.

The Guardian - Arts

But the song itself has a unique ability to connect people.

The New Yorker

"I have a unique ability to predict the flight of the ball, and my teammates have a unique ability to find me," Wambach said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a unique ability to", ensure that the ability is genuinely distinctive. Avoid overuse by considering synonyms like "exceptional talent" or "distinctive skill" for variety.

Common error

Be careful not to exaggerate the uniqueness of an ability. Ensure it truly stands out, rather than being a common or slightly above-average skill. If the ability is not truly unique, consider using phrases like "strong ability" or "notable skill" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a unique ability to" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, highlighting a specific and uncommon capability. Ludwig examples showcase its use in diverse contexts, from describing personal talents to scientific properties.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a unique ability to" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to denote a distinctive capability. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across various domains, particularly in news, science and formal contexts. While "unique" should be used accurately to reflect genuinely uncommon abilities, alternative phrases like "exceptional talent for" or "distinctive skill in" can add variety to your writing. When deploying this phrase, ensure the context supports the claim of uniqueness and consider the potential for overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an exceptional talent for

Replaces "ability" with "talent" emphasizing innate aptitude. Also replace "to" with "for".

a distinctive skill in

Substitutes "unique ability" with "distinctive skill", highlighting specialized proficiency. Also replace "to" with "in".

a remarkable capacity to

Emphasizes the potential or inherent capability using "capacity" instead of "ability".

a special gift for

Uses "gift" to suggest a natural and inherent talent. Also replace "to" with "for".

an unparalleled aptitude for

Highlights unmatched capability through "unparalleled aptitude". Also replace "to" with "for".

a one-of-a-kind knack for

Replaces "ability" with "knack" emphasizing natural skill and ease. Also replace "to" with "for".

a rare talent to

Indicates the uncommon nature of the ability, by using the word "rare".

a singular capacity to

Highlights the unmatched quality of the ability, replacing unique with singular.

an exclusive power to

Uses "power" to convey a strong, inherent capability.

a noteworthy competence in

Highlights a notable level of skill and proficiency, replacing "ability" with competence. Also replace "to" with "in".

FAQs

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

Use "a unique ability to" to describe someone's special skill or talent in a particular area. For example, "She has "a unique ability to" connect with people from diverse backgrounds."

What can I say instead of "a unique ability to"?

You can use alternatives like "exceptional talent for", "distinctive skill in", or "remarkable capacity to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a unique ability to" or "an unique ability to"?

"A unique ability to" is correct. The article "a" is used before words that begin with a consonant sound, even if the word starts with a vowel. "Unique" begins with a "y" sound, which is a consonant sound.

What's the difference between "a unique ability to" and "a special ability to"?

"A unique ability to" implies that the ability is one-of-a-kind and not commonly found, whereas "a special ability to" suggests the ability is particularly good or notable but not necessarily one-of-a-kind.