ability to craft

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to craft" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's skill or talent in creating or producing something, often in a creative or artistic context. Example: "Her ability to craft compelling narratives has made her a sought-after author in the publishing industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Brodsky's ability to craft a poem transcended the language he worked in.

The Guardian - Books

I'd learned the ability to craft meaningful, motivating stories — even about this grand failure.

The New York Times

The key element of that sound is also Future's USP: his ability to craft a killer chorus.

The Guardian - Music

Will bring to the job: Sharp political instincts and the ability to craft and sell the Obama message.

The New York Times

Lyrically astute and vocally mesmerising, Kyla has the ability to craft a song and deliver it perfectly.

The Guardian - Music

(Apparently, the ability to craft crude anatomical jokes isn't what corporate America looks for in new employees).

The New York Times - Magazine

The ability to craft bunches of replacement spears and arrows on the fly, and to heal Takkar while running, are especially pivotal.

The Guardian - Tech

Its warm synths, sweetly breathy vocals and heavy nod to 80s pop balladry hinted at Denton's ability to craft an insistent hook.

The Guardian

In the laboratory, they are capable of making tools out of objects they've never encountered before and even rival primates in their ability to craft tools.

The Guardian

She believes the key to PlateJoy's success is its ability to craft healthy meal plans that users are likely to stick with.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MH Scandi-pop stars are known for their ability to craft intelligent, future-facing pop, but perhaps key to the scene's legacy is the total sincerity of its performers.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To highlight practical skills, use it with terms like "plans", "strategies", or "arguments".

Common error

Avoid using "ability to craft" when simpler alternatives like "ability to create", ""ability to develop"", or ""ability to formulate"" would be more appropriate in technical or business-oriented writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to craft" functions as a noun phrase acting as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a specific capability. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. For example, "Brodsky's ability to craft a poem transcended the language he worked in."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ability to craft" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression for describing someone's talent or skill in creating something with artistry and precision. As affirmed by Ludwig AI's analysis, its frequency across diverse contexts such as news, academia and more shows its versatility. While primarily neutral in register, it is important to consider if alternatives like ""skill to create"", ""talent for developing"" or ""capacity to design"" might be more appropriate depending on the specific context and desired level of formality. Remember to emphasize the creative aspect by pairing it with nouns like "narratives" and "songs", or the practical skills aspect with "plans" and "strategies".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skill to create

Replaces "ability" with "skill" and "craft" with "create", focusing on the general act of creation.

talent for developing

Substitutes "ability" with "talent" and "craft" with "developing", emphasizing the process of development.

capacity to design

Replaces "ability" with "capacity" and "craft" with "design", highlighting the skill of designing something.

aptitude for constructing

Uses "aptitude" instead of "ability" and "constructing" instead of "craft", indicating a natural inclination for building.

power to formulate

Emphasizes the "power" or capability to "formulate" ideas or plans.

knack for shaping

Uses "knack" to indicate a natural talent and "shaping" as an alternative to "crafting".

competence in producing

Focuses on "competence" or the ability to effectively "produce" something.

expertise in fashioning

Highlights "expertise" and uses "fashioning" as a more artistic alternative to "crafting".

facility with articulating

Shifts focus to the ability to express something clearly and effectively.

resourcefulness in inventing

Emphasizes the ability to find clever ways to create something new.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "ability to craft" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "expertise in creating", "competence in developing", or "proficiency in formulating" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "ability to craft" and "ability to create"?

While similar, "ability to craft" often implies a higher level of skill and artistry than "ability to create". Craft suggests meticulous workmanship and attention to detail, whereas create is a more general term.

When is it better to use "skill in creating" instead of "ability to craft"?

Use "skill in creating" when the focus is on the general skill involved in the process, while "ability to craft" is preferred when emphasizing artistry and careful construction.

Is "ability to craft" suitable for technical writing?

While usable, "ability to craft" might be too artistic for some technical contexts. Consider alternatives like ""ability to develop"", ""ability to design"", or ""ability to formulate"" for a more precise and professional tone.