ability to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to be" is correct and usable in written English and is quite common.
You could use this phrase to describe a person's capacity to do something, for example, "Her ability to be an effective leader was evident in her remarkable results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The ability to be intuitive.

Independent

"And the ability to be that.

Independent

"Magnus has that ability to be recognised.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's his ability to be himself.

The Guardian

Disinhibition involves our ability to be spontaneous.

University of California, Berkeley

This hinders the ability to be vulnerable, to express weakness.

The New Yorker

I never doubted my ability to be a good mother.

The New York Times - Magazine

I think we limited Celtic's ability to be effective.

The Guardian - Sport

"We have the ability to be flexible," the lawyer said.

The New York Times

Your ability to be creative is also limited.

The Guardian - Tech

They have the athletic ability to be great".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ability to be" to clearly express someone's capacity or potential to assume a specific role or characteristic. For example, "Her ability to be a compassionate leader made her effective."

Common error

Avoid using "ability to be" with overly abstract or intangible concepts where a more direct verb would be clearer. For example, instead of "The ability to be happy", consider "The capacity for happiness".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to be" functions as a noun phrase, describing the capacity or potential to embody a certain state, characteristic, or role. As Ludwig AI indicates, this construction is common and grammatically correct in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ability to be" is a common and grammatically correct way to express someone's capacity or potential. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use in written English. As demonstrated by the many examples Ludwig provides, it is particularly prevalent in news and media, as well as academic contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various situations. Alternatives like "capacity for being" or "potential to become" can offer subtle shifts in emphasis. When using "ability to be", it's important to ensure it aligns with concrete concepts, avoiding overly abstract applications to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of being

Uses "capable" as an adjective to describe the subject's aptitude.

capacity for being

Replaces "ability" with "capacity" and restructures the phrase.

potential to become

Shifts the focus to future development rather than current ability.

competence in the role of

Emphasizes demonstrated skill and knowledge.

skill to perform as

Replaces "ability" with "skill" and rephrases the verb.

power to act as

Uses "power" to denote the capability to function in a specific role.

talent for functioning as

Replaces ability with talent.

aptitude for serving as

Highlights the natural talent for a specific role.

facility in acting as

Focuses on the ease and smoothness of performance.

effectiveness as

Highlights the efficiency and success in a specific role.

FAQs

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

Use "ability to be" to describe someone's capacity to take on a certain role or characteristic. For instance, "His ability to be objective helped him resolve the conflict fairly".

What are some alternatives to "ability to be"?

You could use alternatives such as "capacity for being", "potential to become", or "capable of being", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Explore options like "capacity for being" or "capable of being".

Is it correct to say "ability to be"?

Yes, "ability to be" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe the potential or capacity for something. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

What's the difference between "ability to be" and "ability to become"?

"Ability to be" generally refers to a current capacity or inherent quality, while "ability to become" emphasizes potential future development or change. You could use "ability to become" to suggest future possibilities.