ability to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an individual's capacity or skill to do something. For example, "She has the ability to learn new skills quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The ability to imagine.

The New York Times

Ability to return?

The New York Times

The ability to attract money.

The New York Times

Ability to punctuate and spell?

Independent

The ability to solve problems.

The New York Times

The ability to be intuitive.

Independent

No ability to generate jobs.

The New Yorker

You also need the ability to learn.

Independent

"I have zero ability to smell money.

The New York Times

We have the ability to help people.

The New York Times

"She has the ability to do it.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ability to" to clearly express someone's capacity or skill in performing a specific action. For instance, "The company needs the ability to adapt quickly to market changes."

Common error

Don't use "ability to" in excessively broad statements without specifying the context or action. Instead of saying "He has the ability to succeed", be specific: "He has the ability to lead a team effectively".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to" functions as a noun phrase followed by an infinitive, indicating the capacity or potential to perform a specific action. Ludwig confirms that this is a correct and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

24%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ability to" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express the capacity or potential to perform a specific action. As Ludwig highlights, it's widely used across various contexts, from news and media to formal business communications. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the action or skill being referred to, and consider related phrases like "capacity to" or "potential to" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capacity to

Focuses on the potential or maximum amount that can be done.

capability to

Emphasizes the inherent skill or talent to perform a task.

competence to

Highlights the qualification and skill required for a specific role.

potential to

Stresses the undeveloped possibility of achieving something.

skill to

Underscores the learned proficiency in a particular area.

facility to

Indicates ease and natural aptitude in performing a task.

power to

Suggests the strength or resources to accomplish something.

room to

Focuses on the existence of an opportunity to do something.

option to

Indicates a choice or alternative that can be exercised.

means to

Highlights the resources or methods available to achieve an objective.

FAQs

How can I use "ability to" in a sentence?

Use "ability to" to indicate someone's capacity or skill to perform a specific action. For example, "She has the ability to learn new languages quickly".

What are some alternatives to "ability to"?

You can use alternatives like "capacity to", "capability to", or "potential to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the ability of doing something"?

No, it is more grammatically correct to say "the ability to do something". The infinitive form is preferred.

What's the difference between "ability to" and "opportunity to"?

"Ability to" refers to the inherent capacity or skill to do something, while "opportunity to" refers to the chance or circumstances that allow something to be done.