ability lies

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability lies" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate where someone's or something's ability is found or resides. Example: "Her true ability lies in her capacity to empathize with others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Red wine diluted 1 20 is a powerful releaser of 5-HT from platelet and this property varied widely among different types of wine and even in the sample of the same type: the releasing ability lies mainly in two flavonoid fractions with molecular weight greater than 500 Da [47,54].

The Journal of Headache and Pain

"A 21-year-old is still developing the frontal lobe of the brain where all the judgment and discerning ability lies," he said.

HuffPost

It sounds like the kind of skill that could be a pretty handy tool in life, but people with HSAM aren't, for example, any better at exams; their ability lies in accessing a very specific type of memory relating to their life and experiences.

Vice

In Africa, there is a natural disposition towards innovation - a passion for living that focuses on solutions rather than problems - within this innate ability lies the key to sustainable development in Africa but this cannot be realized without the right type of investments.

Huffington Post

"I tell people that my ability lies in my mind.

Unicef

If we consider the interaction FLT3-ITD*score in the Cox model, instead, the p-value of the omics score is high (0.4189), showing that all its explanatory ability lies in the interaction with FLT3-ITD (p-value = 0.0020).

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Maybe, instead, our ability lay in our unconscious perception: in our sensing something if we weren't looking for it, something that might disappear if we tried to probe it head on.

The New Yorker

His passion and undoubted abilities lie in the elite end of sport, which further highlights what a strange, unwieldy hybrid the RFU has become.

The Guardian - Sport

Nothing is more demoralizing than the sing-song intonations or mannered phrasings of a reader whose mind and abilities lie elsewhere.

The New York Times - Books

The claim that certain talents or abilities lie in one hemisphere or the other is usually based on averaging the brains of many people, he said.

The New York Times - Science

His abilities lay not in administration, for which he had no talent, but in war, at which he was a genius.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "ability lies" to clearly indicate where a specific skill or capacity is primarily located or sourced. For example, "Her ability lies in her meticulous attention to detail."

Common error

Avoid confusing the verb "lies" (indicating location) with the verb "lay" (to place something down). "Ability lays" is grammatically incorrect; always use "ability lies" to denote where an ability is located.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability lies" functions as a statement identifying where a particular skill, talent, or competence is primarily located or sourced. As confirmed by Ludwig, it accurately denotes the location of an attribute.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ability lies" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that indicates where a skill, talent, or competence is primarily located. Ludwig AI confirms its accuracy. While not overly common, its usage spans across various contexts including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. Related phrases such as "skill resides" and "talent is found" offer semantically similar alternatives. Remember to avoid confusing "lies" with "lays". Using "ability lies" helps to clearly pinpoint the source or focus of a particular capability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skill resides

Replaces "ability" with "skill" and "lies" with "resides", emphasizing the location of the skill.

talent is found

Substitutes "ability" with "talent" and uses "is found" to indicate where the talent exists.

capacity resides

Replaces "ability" with "capacity", highlighting potential, and uses "resides" to denote location.

strength is rooted

Uses "strength" instead of "ability" and "is rooted" to suggest a deeper, more fundamental source.

power is vested

Emphasizes authority or control, using "power" and "is vested" to show where influence is placed.

capability is centered

Highlights the focus of ability, using "capability" and "is centered" to show the point of concentration.

competence is grounded

Substitutes "ability" with "competence" and uses "is grounded" to imply a solid foundation for the competence.

expertise resides

Replaces "ability" with "expertise", which emphasizes specialized knowledge.

potential is located

Focuses on the untapped possibilities, using "potential" and "is located" to denote its presence.

aptitude is situated

Uses "aptitude" to indicate a natural talent and "is situated" to describe where it's positioned.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "ability lies" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "skill resides" or "competence is grounded", which offer a more elevated vocabulary.

What does it mean when someone says "their ability lies"?

It means that a person's strength, talent, or capability is primarily located or found in a specific area. For instance, "their ability lies in problem-solving" indicates they are good at solving problems.

Is it correct to say "ability lays" instead of "ability lies"?

No, "ability lays" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "ability lies", where "lies" indicates the location or source of the ability.

What are some alternatives to "ability lies" that maintain a similar meaning?

Alternatives include "talent is found", "strength is rooted", or "capacity resides", all of which convey where a particular skill or strength is located.