ability to counter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to counter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's capacity to respond to or oppose something, such as an argument, challenge, or threat. Example: "The team's ability to counter the opponent's strategy was crucial for their victory in the match."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Honey's ability to counter bacterial infections arises from both bactericidal compounds and QS inhibition.

Harvard University

It will damage the police's ability to counter terrorism if neighbourhood policing is cut.

The Guardian

They initiated the "MAXCAP05" program to improve the F.B.I.'s ability to counter terrorism.

The New York Times

Women, especially, are communing around the witch figure and her ability to counter male dominance.

The New Yorker

Even if Mr. Hussein is alive, his regime's ability to counter the American-led offensive appeared to collapse.

The New York Times

One concern was the country's ability to counter bio-terrorism, which seems to require national ownership of a vaccine producer.

The Economist

But foreign exchange reserves, at $3.18 trillion, give the country ample ability to counter any run on the renminbi.

The New York Times

They didn't have anything to give me, and they lacked a vital human skill: the ability to counter one palm-up with another.

The New York Times - Science

He also argues for the development of a Limited War Capability that is, the ability to counter Soviet aggression with conventional forces.

The New Yorker

These harsh words, however, could not undercut Germany's creativity with short passes, its unremitting appetite for goals and its ability to counter Sweden's speed and insistence.

The New York Times - Sports

This may not be all his fault; he inherited a bursting bubble, after all, and there are limits to a president's ability to counter economic cycles.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "ability to counter", ensure that the context clearly defines what is being countered. Specificity enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "ability to counter" in overly broad contexts. Instead of saying someone has the "ability to counter problems", specify the types of problems they can effectively address.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to counter" functions as a noun phrase followed by an infinitive, indicating the capacity or potential to oppose or neutralize something. Ludwig's examples show its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

33%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ability to counter" is a versatile expression used to describe the capacity to respond effectively to challenges or opposing forces. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, notably in News & Media, Science, and Academia. The phrase functions as a noun phrase followed by an infinitive, communicating an assessment of someone's or something's capability. To enhance writing, it's advisable to use "ability to counter" with specificity, clearly defining what is being countered. Alternatives include "capacity to counteract", "capability to resist", and "potential to negate", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capacity to counteract

Replaces "ability" with "capacity" and "counter" with "counteract", emphasizing the power or faculty to neutralize an effect.

capability to resist

Substitutes "counter" with "resist", focusing on the power to withstand or oppose something.

potential to negate

Replaces "ability" with "potential" and "counter" with "negate", highlighting the possibility of nullifying an effect.

power to thwart

Uses "power" instead of "ability" and "thwart" instead of "counter", suggesting a forceful prevention of something.

resources to combat

Emphasizes the available means or assets for fighting against something, changing "ability" to "resources" and "counter" to "combat".

means to oppose

Focuses on the methods or strategies available for resisting or going against something, using "means" instead of "ability" and "oppose" instead of "counter".

aptitude to rebuff

Highlights a natural talent or skill for rejecting or repelling something, substituting "ability" with "aptitude" and "counter" with "rebuff".

skill to parry

Emphasizes expertise in deflecting or warding off something, using "skill" instead of "ability" and "parry" instead of "counter".

preparedness to confront

Focuses on the state of being ready to face or deal with something, changing "ability" to "preparedness" and "counter" to "confront".

facility to neutralise

Highlights the ease or smoothness in rendering something ineffective, substituting "ability" with "facility" and "counter" with "neutralise".

FAQs

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

Use "ability to counter" to describe someone or something's capacity to respond effectively to a challenge. For example, "The country's "ability to counter terrorism" depends on international cooperation".

What are some alternatives to "ability to counter"?

Alternatives include "capacity to resist", "potential to negate", or "power to thwart", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "ability to counter" or "ability to prevent"?

"Ability to counter" implies responding to something already in motion, while "ability to prevent" suggests stopping something before it starts. The choice depends on whether you're addressing an existing threat or aiming to preempt one.

What's the difference between "ability to counter" and "ability to combat"?

"Ability to counter" suggests a specific response to neutralize an action, while "ability to combat" implies a more general and sustained effort to fight against something. "The "ability to combat climate change" requires long-term strategies" is different than "the "ability to counter a cyber attack" relies on immediate response".