abilities to guard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "abilities to guard" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's skills or capabilities related to protection or defense. Example: "The security team demonstrated their abilities to guard the premises effectively during the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Dogs are humanity's oldest friends, renowned for their loyalty and abilities to guard, hunt and chase.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

On the other side of the ball, Gay has the rare ability to guard quick wings and 7-footers alike.

The New York Times

"Danilo, the biggest surprise I've had from him is his ability to guard 2s and 3s," D'Antoni said, referring to shooting guards and small forwards.

The New York Times - Sports

"The ability to guard customer data is the key to market value, which the board is responsible for on behalf of shareholders".

The Economist

Anthony has been blanketed by Paul George, whose ability to guard him one-on-one has allowed the Pacers to avoid double-teaming, thus leaving few openings to drive or shoot.

The New York Times - Sports

The 6-foot-4, 227-pound Jones has shown the ability to guard nearly any position on the court and has held scorers like Northwestern's Drew Crawford and Vanderbilt's Kedren Johnson to 6 and 9 points, respectively.

The New York Times

A key witness to the events of Dec. 16, his death has also raised questions about the government's ability to guard the accused while the trial is being conducted in a fast track court.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, Shumpert's defensive intensity – buoyed by his ability to guard at least three different positions – helped transform the Knicks into one of the most efficiently stifling defensive units in the league.

The New York Times

The European ruling's widest impact on technology companies, legal and industry experts say, will probably be on Microsoft's ability to guard some of its intellectual property in software for servers.

The New York Times - Tech

The union also raised worries about the Land Registry's ability to guard against fraud if a range of private firms are involved in maintaining the register and the potential increased cost to homebuyers if it is run for profit rather than in the public interest.

The Guardian

That enhances a company's ability to guard its software and data.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an individual's or entity's protective functions, clearly specify what they have the "abilities to guard" against to ensure clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "abilities to guard" without specifying what is being guarded. Be precise; for example, instead of just saying "the dog has abilities to guard", specify "the dog has abilities to guard the house from intruders".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "abilities to guard" functions as a noun phrase, describing the capacity or skill set related to protection or defense. Ludwig indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Sports

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "abilities to guard" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a capacity for protection or defense. According to Ludwig, the phrase is valid and appropriate for use in written English. While relatively rare, it appears most frequently in news and media, sports and scientific contexts. When using the phrase, it is important to specify clearly what is being guarded to ensure clarity. Alternatives such as "capacity for defense" or "skills in protection" may be used depending on the specific nuance desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capacity for defense

Focuses on the potential for defensive actions, rather than a general guarding ability.

skills in protection

Emphasizes the practical skills involved in safeguarding something.

capability to protect

Highlights the power and means to keep something safe.

aptitude for safeguarding

Stresses a natural inclination or talent for ensuring safety.

potential for security

Indicates a latent or undeveloped capacity to provide security.

defensive capabilities

More specific to military or strategic contexts involving defense.

resources for vigilance

Emphasizes the available means to maintain a state of watchfulness.

strength for guardianship

Highlights the power or force needed to act as a guardian.

competence in warding

Implies a demonstrated ability to avert or prevent harm.

talent for shielding

Suggests an inherent ability to provide cover or protection from harm.

FAQs

How can I use "abilities to guard" in a sentence?

You can use "abilities to guard" to describe a person's or thing's capacity to protect something, such as "The fortress demonstrated strong /s/abilities+to+guard against enemy attacks".

What are some alternatives to "abilities to guard"?

Alternatives include "capacity for defense", "skills in protection", or "capability to protect", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "ability to guard" or "abilities to guard"?

"Ability to guard" refers to a general singular capacity, while "abilities to guard" refers to multiple, specific capabilities. Use the plural form when referring to a range of skills.

How does "abilities to guard" differ from "security measures"?

"Abilities to guard" describes inherent capabilities of a person or system, whereas "security measures" refers to implemented actions or systems designed to protect something. Security measures could enhance the /s/abilities+to+guard, but they aren't the same thing.