ability to avail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to avail" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when discussing someone's capacity to take advantage of an opportunity or resource. Example: "The ability to avail oneself of the available resources is crucial for success in this project."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The realist Romney updated the belief of nineteenth-century partisans that a candidate's most important ability is what they called his "availability," as in "his ability to avail" – and prevail.

The New York Times

Also on the list is the matter of whether extremely wealthy investors will have the ability to avail themselves of offshore tax shelters in the future.

The New Yorker

Another one is fundamentalism which sharply controls a citizen's ability to avail himself of many of the pleasures of modern life.

Huffington Post

These same factors are also known to impede a woman's ability to avail herself of health care and related services [ 20].

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

A solid-nanoemulsion preconcentrate is highly preferred due to its scalability and robustness, as well as its ability to avail all the benefits of a liquid system [ 21, 22].

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

And once the employment situation starts to improve we're not there yet (see "What Bernanke Really Said")–the ability of firms to avail themselves of cheap and abundant workers will slide.

Forbes

A critical step in resolving this issue is maximizing the ability of investment advisers to avail themselves of voting recommendations that are made on an informed basis and with the expectation that they will lead to shareholder wealth maximization.

Columbia University

In applying to the Surface Transportation Board, Northeast Interchange Railway vowed, if necessary, to "avail itself of the ability to seek the pre-emption of such state and local regulations if their application interferes with or prevents rail operations".

The New York Times

Try to avail mobile surf promos.

WikiHow

"But I think the procedures are just words on pieces of paper unless someone is there to ensure they're being followed and the detainee has the ability to understand them and avail themselves of them".

The New York Times

But to no avail: their abilities declined with each session.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pay attention to the tone when using 'ability to avail'. It can occasionally sound stilted, so adjust your language for the target audience.

Common error

Avoid using "ability to avail" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly formal and unnatural. Opt for simpler alternatives like "ability to use" or "opportunity to benefit".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to avail" functions as a noun phrase that describes the capacity or power to take advantage of something. Ludwig indicates it's acceptable but potentially awkward, suggesting consideration of simpler alternatives. It highlights the potential to utilize available resources.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ability to avail" refers to the capacity to take advantage of opportunities or resources. While grammatically correct, Ludwig suggests it can sound somewhat formal or awkward, and it's crucial to ensure appropriate usage within the context. Consider alternatives like "ability to utilize" or "opportunity to benefit" for greater clarity. The phrase appears more frequently in formal writing, news articles, and scientific publications. Pay attention to your audience and choose the most appropriate expression for your intended message. Using "ability to avail" correctly demonstrates an understanding of formal language, but be mindful of potential misunderstandings or perceptions of stuffiness. It might be best to stick to common and more easily understood phrases in most situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ability to utilize

Emphasizes the practical use of something for a specific purpose.

ability to benefit

Highlights the capacity to gain advantages or positive outcomes.

ability to capitalize

Focuses on converting something into an advantage or profit.

ability to access

Indicates the capacity to gain entry or make use of something.

ability to exploit

Emphasizes leveraging resources, often with a connotation of using them to one's advantage.

ability to exercise

Refers to the power to use or exert a particular right or skill.

ability to seize

Suggests a quick and decisive action to take advantage of an opportunity.

ability to invoke

Refers to the power to call upon or implement something, like a rule or law.

ability to prevail

Focuses on the capacity to succeed or triumph, often against opposition.

ability to enjoy

Highlights the capacity to experience pleasure or benefit from something.

FAQs

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

Use "ability to avail" when referring to the capacity to take advantage of resources or opportunities. For example: "The program enhances the student's "ability to avail" themselves of educational resources."

What are some alternatives to "ability to avail"?

Alternatives include "ability to utilize", "capacity to use", or "opportunity to benefit", depending on the specific context.

Is "ability to avail" formal or informal?

"Ability to avail" leans towards the formal side. In more casual settings, using phrases like "ability to use" or "opportunity to access" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "ability to avail" and "ability to access"?

"Ability to avail" implies not only access but also the active use of something beneficial, while "ability to access" simply refers to the capacity to gain entry or make something available.