abilities to acquire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "abilities to acquire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's skills or potential to gain knowledge or skills in a particular area. Example: "The training program focuses on enhancing the abilities to acquire new technical skills efficiently."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

In the surface ocean when inorganic nitrogen is a limiting factor, phytoplankton and ammonium oxidizing microbes have similar abilities to acquire ammonium, but because phytoplankton need less nitrogen to grow and have a faster growth rate, they are able to outcompete the nitrifiers, excluding them from the sunlit zone.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

– "Their CEO overestimated his abilities to acquire funding in time".

TechCrunch

Natural selection, then, would strongly favor characteristics that promoted young people's abilities to acquire the culture.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Traits that develop during this period then are more revealing with respect to a male's own abilities to acquire resources rather than its parents' abilities who are a key determinate to provide resources that are required for the traits that develop earlier.

Plosone

Strategies are defined by relative growth rates and relative abilities to acquire available resources.

AoB PLANTS

The patient's abilities to acquire skills and modify his/her behaviour are often deeply affected by the disease.

Alzheimer's Research and Therapy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

We found that Per2-mutant mice did not show deficits in their ability to acquire or recall cue-fear learning.

ASN Neuro

That affects a person's ability to acquire a mortgage, for instance, or to afford children.

The Guardian

George was known on campus for his ability to acquire things without paying for them.

The New Yorker

The new entity will have certain legal powers, like the ability to acquire property by condemnation.

The New York Times

But it could limit Sprint's ability to acquire another wireless carrier later on.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the potential for growth or development, consider using "abilities to acquire" to emphasize the active role of learning and adaptation. For example, "The curriculum is designed to enhance students' "abilities to acquire" new skills."

Common error

Avoid using "abilities to acquire" when referring to innate talents or qualities that are not actively developed. Instead, use phrases like "natural aptitude" or "inherent capacity" to describe predispositions rather than learned skills.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "abilities to acquire" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the capacity or potential to gain or obtain something, such as skills, knowledge, or resources. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "abilities to acquire" is a grammatically correct noun phrase that highlights the potential for growth and attainment, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Its usage is most common in scientific, academic, and news contexts, suggesting a formal and somewhat technical register. While not exceedingly frequent, its consistent appearance across authoritative sources indicates its reliability and appropriateness when discussing the capacity to gain skills, knowledge, or resources. To enhance writing, consider using this phrase when emphasizing the dynamic potential for learning and adaptation, but avoid it when describing innate talents. Alternatives such as "capacity to obtain" or "potential to gain" can provide nuanced variations in meaning and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Capacity to obtain

Emphasizes the inherent ability or potential to get or secure something.

Potential to gain

Focuses on the possibility or likelihood of receiving or increasing something.

Skills to attain

Highlights the specific abilities needed to achieve a certain level or goal.

Aptitude for learning

Specifically refers to the natural talent or inclination for gaining knowledge or skills.

Proficiency in securing

Suggests a high degree of competence in obtaining or protecting something.

Talent for developing

Focuses on the natural ability to improve or expand something.

Competence in achieving

Implies the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully reach a desired outcome.

Power to procure

Emphasizes the authority or influence to obtain something, often through formal means.

Resources for obtaining

Highlights the available means and support necessary for acquiring something.

Means to secure

Focuses on the methods and tools available to guarantee or protect something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "abilities to acquire" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "capacity to obtain", "potential to gain", or "competence in achieving" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "ability to learn" and "ability to acquire"?

While similar, "ability to learn" generally refers to the general capacity for learning, whereas "ability to acquire" often implies a specific process of obtaining something, such as a skill or resource.

When is it more appropriate to use "skills to develop" versus "abilities to acquire"?

"Skills to develop" emphasizes growth and improvement, whereas "abilities to acquire" focuses on obtaining or gaining something new.

How do I use "abilities to acquire" in a sentence?

You can use "abilities to acquire" to describe someone's potential for learning new skills or gaining resources. For example, "The company values employees with strong "abilities to acquire" new technical expertise quickly."