ability

USAGE SUMMARY

'ability' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use 'ability' to refer to an aptitude or capability that an individual has, either naturally or with acquired knowledge and skill. For example: "John's singing ability has been improving with each lesson."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Our new communications data legislation will strengthen our ability to disrupt terrorist plots, criminal networks and organised child grooming gangs, even as technology develops.

The Guardian

He offers coaching for all ages and all levels of ability.

The Guardian - Sport

It is not right to prevent Palestinians from farming their lands; to restrict a student's ability to move around the West Bank; or to displace Palestinian families from their home.

The Economist

Cameron said: "We're going to make that assessment a real and robust one, and yes, it's going to include whether your ability to speak English is a barrier to work.

The Guardian

The main opposition party could hardly refuse to support it, or it would be displaying lack of confidence in its ability to win the ensuing general election.

The Guardian

But he returned again and again to the posed naked figure, male and female – the ultimate test and validation, so the critic Robert Hughes has stated, of any artist's merit and painterly ability.

The Guardian - Arts

But Fox's pledge to maintain Britain's ability to wage war unilaterally, cooperate with France while snubbing the EU's defence agency, cutting Whitehall staff and reforming wasteful procurement (again) does not sound like tough realism, especially when combined with Cameron's gimmicky "war cabinet" and national security adviser approach.

The Guardian - Opinion

"At this late date, prompt passage of the USA Freedom Act by the Senate is the best way to minimize any possible disruption of our ability to protect the American people," Clapper said on Friday.

The Guardian

When interviewed, aspiring journalists with disabilities said the issues that concerned them most were: whether or not to disclose their disability in a covering letter with their CV; if they had the right image for the employer; and whether or not the disability would affect their ability, or perceived ability, to perform a task.

The Guardian

He was a soldier in the second world war, and an academic who had an ability to get on with people of all backgrounds.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He was an crucial part of any tour, organised, funny, highly hospitable and with an innate ability to get on famously with anyone, anywhere.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "ability" with action verbs to specify what one is capable of doing, like "ability to learn", "ability to adapt", or "ability to lead".

Common error

Avoid using "ability" when you mean "possibility". "Ability" refers to someone's capacity to do something, while "possibility" refers to whether something can happen. For instance, say "There is a possibility of rain", not "There is an ability of rain".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ability" is as a noun, representing the capacity or power to do something. Ludwig AI confirms that "ability" is a correct and usable word. Examples show it functioning as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting competence or potential.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "ability" functions primarily as a noun signifying the capacity or power to perform an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, but equally valid in business and scientific domains, its usage is neutral in register. When aiming to convey similar concepts, consider alternatives such as "capability" or "skill". Remember to differentiate "ability" from "possibility", focusing on competence rather than mere chance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capability

Focuses more on the potential to perform a specific task.

capacity

Emphasizes the maximum amount that something can contain or produce.

skill

Highlights proficiency acquired through practice or training.

talent

Suggests a natural aptitude or innate gift.

aptitude

Implies a natural inclination or suitability for something.

competence

Indicates the state of being adequately qualified.

proficiency

Suggests a high degree of skill or expertise.

potential

Focuses on the possibility of developing skill or capacity.

expertise

Highlights specialized knowledge or skill.

knack

Implies an intuitive skill or dexterity.

FAQs

How to use "ability" in a sentence?

You can use "ability" to describe someone's capacity or competence to do something. For example, "Her "leadership skills" were evident from the start."

What can I say instead of "ability"?

You can use alternatives like "capability", "capacity", or "skill" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "ability to" or "ability of"?

"Ability to" is the correct and more common construction when followed by a verb. For example, "ability to learn". "Ability of" is typically used when followed by a noun phrase.

What's the difference between "ability" and "skill"?

"Ability" is a general capacity to do something, while "skill" is a specific, learned competence. Someone might have the "ability" to learn quickly, and through practice, develop the "skill" of coding.