abilities

USAGE SUMMARY

"abilities" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to one's power or capacity to do something. For example, "His natural abilities as a leader were evident from a young age."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some are being placed with foster carers who are outside their comfort zone – and more importantly their skills and abilities – in caring for teens.

The Guardian

You'll leave the course not only with new technical abilities, but an enriched appreciation of the world around you and the confidence to capture it in images.

The Guardian

Streaming music service Spotify has announced new features including adding podcasts and video; music that adapts to the listener's running pace; and the promise of smarter abilities to serve the right playlists for the time of day, activity and habits of the user.

The Guardian - Tech

Before she thought of college as unattainable, but now has faith in her abilities".

The Guardian

In contrast, children who played with a more androgynous "Mrs Potato Head" figure showed greater faith in their abilities to take on male-dominated roles.

The Guardian

Smacking, especially when unaccompanied by any other means of discipline, is unlikely to result in well-developed abilities to make those judgments.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's obvious that our full abilities will only come to the fore further down the line.

The Guardian - Sport

The top flight has showcased his abilities as he made his name on a bigger stage with those trademark reaction saves.

The Guardian - Sport

Elsewhere in the interview, James speaks about his seemingly humdrum life in a small village near Glasgow with his family – dealing with neighbours, juggling work with the school run – and the musical abilities of his two young sons.

The Guardian - Music

If there is a compromise that might work, then in an ideal world all children of all abilities would do a blend of academic and vocational subjects.

The Guardian

Although man has developed war-machines that surpass the abilities of the human body, there is a perceived political and emotional strength in the human form.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "abilities" when referring to a range of skills or capabilities someone possesses, especially when discussing potential or overall competence.

Common error

Avoid using "abilities" when you specifically mean accomplishments. "Abilities" refer to potential, while achievements are realized outcomes.

Linguistic Context

"Abilities" primarily functions as a noun, referring to the qualities of being able to do something; talent, skill, or power. As shown in Ludwig, it appears often in contexts discussing potential, performance, and inherent qualities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "abilities" is a versatile noun used to describe someone's capacity or potential to perform tasks or excel in specific areas. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and very common, finding frequent use in contexts like News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. When writing, it's important to distinguish "abilities" (potential) from "achievements" (realized outcomes). Alternatives include "skills", "talents", and "capabilities", each offering slightly different connotations. The phrase is suitable for a neutral register, making it widely applicable across various writing scenarios. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capacities

Focuses on the potential to perform or understand.

skills

Emphasizes learned or developed proficiency.

capabilities

Similar to abilities, but may emphasize potential more.

talents

Suggests innate or natural aptitudes.

competencies

Highlights the proven ability to perform tasks effectively.

aptitudes

Focuses on a natural inclination or talent.

proficiencies

Highlights a high degree of skill or expertise.

expertise

Emphasizes specialized knowledge or skill.

potential

Refers to undeveloped capacity or possibility.

power

Indicates the strength or capacity to do something.

FAQs

How to use "abilities" in a sentence?

You can use "abilities" to describe someone's capacity to do something, like: "Her natural "leadership abilities" were evident early on".

What are some synonyms for "abilities"?

Alternatives to "abilities" include "skills", "talents", and "capabilities", each emphasizing different aspects of competence.

Is "abilities" singular or plural?

"Abilities" is the plural form of "ability". The singular form, "ability", refers to a single skill or capacity.

Which is correct, "abilities in" or "abilities at"?

Both "abilities in" and "abilities at" can be correct depending on the context, although "abilities in" is generally more common. You could also use "abilities with".