ability to afford

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to afford" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to one's capacity to pay for something, such as: "We were disappointed that we didn't have the ability to afford a new car."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The CSS item representing the affordability dimension of access was item 12, ability to afford health care costs [out-of-pocket costs].

BMC Health Services Research

People's ability to afford food has eroded, too.

The New Yorker

And then, they say, there is the bank's ability to afford stiff fines.

The Economist

After all, we ration by a person's ability to afford insurance.

The New York Times

We also need to address artist's ability to afford space that is becoming more expensive.

The Guardian

Both had to show the financial ability to afford $500 million or more.

The New York Times - Sports

(vii) Other significant factors that the recipient has determined affect the applicant's ability to afford legal assistance.

Cornell University

That second child affects a family's ability to afford college and will figure in the financial aid calculations.

The New York Times

Employment, pension, investment and rental income will all be taken into account when assessing someone's ability to afford the loan.

The Guardian - Money

"We give smaller churches the ability to afford something that sounds more like a pipe organ," Mr. Carpenter said.

The New York Times - Tech

The findings are are likely to reignite the controversy surrounding schools selecting by parents' ability to afford to live somewhere.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing broad economic trends, use "ability to afford" to highlight how these trends impact people's access to essential goods and services. For example: "Rising inflation directly impacts the population's ability to afford basic necessities."

Common error

Avoid using "affordability" when you specifically want to emphasize someone's capacity to pay. "Affordability" refers to the general characteristic of being affordable, whereas "ability to afford" focuses on the individual or entity's capacity to meet the cost.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to afford" functions as a noun phrase that indicates the capacity or financial means to pay for something. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its use in various contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness as per Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ability to afford" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys one's capacity to pay for something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides extensive examples across various domains. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for discussing financial means and economic realities. When aiming for variety, consider alternatives such as "capacity to pay" or "financial means to acquire". Remember to use "ability to afford" when specifically discussing an individual or group's financial capability, differentiating it from the general concept of affordability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capacity to pay

Focuses on the general capability of paying, differing in its broader scope.

financial means to acquire

Emphasizes the financial resources available for obtaining something.

economic resources to purchase

Highlights the economic aspect of buying something, adding a layer of formality.

funds available for

Directly refers to the money that can be used, making it more straightforward.

wherewithal to buy

Indicates the necessary resources or means, with a slightly archaic tone.

financial capability to obtain

Stresses the financial competence and the act of gaining something.

resources to acquire

Refers to all types of resources needed, not just financial, making it broader.

means to procure

Implies a formal or official method of obtaining something.

purchasing power

Highlights the economic impact or consumer capacity for buying goods and services.

budget to spend on

Refers to a specific amount of money allocated for a particular purpose.

FAQs

How do I use "ability to afford" in a sentence?

Use "ability to afford" when you want to discuss whether someone has the financial means to purchase something. For example: "The family's "ability to afford" healthcare has been impacted by recent job losses".

What are some alternatives to "ability to afford"?

You can use alternatives like "capacity to pay", "financial means to acquire", or "economic resources to purchase", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "affordability" or "ability to afford"?

"Affordability" refers to how affordable something is in general. "Ability to afford" refers specifically to someone's capacity to pay. Use "ability to afford" when you are talking about a particular person or group and their financial means.

What factors influence a person's "ability to afford" something?

A person's "ability to afford" something can be influenced by income, expenses, savings, debt, and economic conditions. These factors determine whether they have the necessary financial resources.