ability to cross

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to cross" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's capacity or skill to traverse or move across something, such as a physical barrier or a conceptual divide. Example: "The athlete's ability to cross the finish line ahead of her competitors was impressive."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

"Their ability to cross over is what makes them so compelling".

The New York Times

Fictional characters have the ability to cross borders and boundaries that real people can't.

The Guardian - Opinion

You don't doubt Mr. Murphy's ability to cross into both of these realms.

The New York Times

Another is that a history of parliamentary compromise gives them the ability to cross ideological divides.

The Economist

Her other link to Elvis is her ability to cross racial lines musically without seeming like a minstrel.

The New York Times - Arts

Tides of them sweep through Bamako in rush hour, seriously hampering pedestrians' ability to cross the street.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

The visions of synergy cited in 2000 now seem to be largely reduced to the ability to cross-sell products.

The New York Times

Humanity's earliest, truly transformative general purpose technologies were the ability to cross-fertilise plants and cross-breed animals.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet the Sarbanes-Oxley act significantly restricted auditors' ability to cross-sell other services in order to bolster their independence.

The Economist

Too late: BET, using its powerful brand and its ability to cross-promote, is already planning one.

The Economist

The ability to cross-examine accusers?

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing abstract concepts, use "ability to cross" to highlight the capacity to overcome divides or connect disparate ideas. For example: "The research demonstrated the program's "ability to cross" disciplinary boundaries."

Common error

Avoid using "ability to cross" when simpler verbs like "cross" or "traverse" suffice. Instead of "the pedestrian's ability to cross the street", opt for "the pedestrian crossed the street" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to cross" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the capacity or capability of someone or something to traverse or overcome a barrier. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which showcase its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

38%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ability to cross" is a versatile phrase used to describe the capacity or potential to traverse or overcome something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, including science, news, and academia. While the phrase is generally appropriate, it's best to avoid overusing it in simple physical contexts where more concise verbs would suffice. Remember that there are several alternatives available, such as "capacity to traverse" or "potential to bridge", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. The contexts in which "ability to cross" is frequently found are Science and News & Media, so make sure to consider your audience and level of formality to produce the most suitable phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capacity to traverse

Replaces "ability" with "capacity", emphasizing the inherent potential or power to cross.

capability to pass

Substitutes "ability" with "capability", focusing on the potential to move beyond something.

potential to bridge

Uses "potential" instead of "ability", highlighting the possibility of connecting two points.

skill to navigate

Replaces "ability" with "skill", suggesting expertise in crossing or maneuvering.

power to overcome

Emphasizes the strength or force required to cross or conquer an obstacle.

aptitude for spanning

Focuses on a natural inclination or talent for crossing or extending over something.

facility in traversing

Highlights the ease and efficiency in crossing or moving through something.

means to get across

Emphasizes that there is a tool to use when needing to cross something.

resources for connecting

Underlines the needed resources to be able to cross or create connections.

room to traverse

Highlights that a space is available to be crossed or travelled.

FAQs

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

You can use "ability to cross" to describe a person's or thing's capacity to traverse something, such as "The athlete showed a remarkable "ability to cross" the hurdles" or "The new drug has the "ability to cross" the blood-brain barrier".

What are some alternatives to "ability to cross"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "capacity to traverse", "potential to bridge", or "skill to navigate".

Is it better to say "ability to cross" or "ability of crossing"?

"Ability to cross" is generally preferred because it's more concise and grammatically standard. "Ability of crossing" is less common and can sound awkward in most contexts.

What does it mean when something has the "ability to cross" the blood-brain barrier?

It means that the substance or agent can penetrate the protective layer surrounding the brain. This is particularly important for drugs targeting brain disorders, as they need this "ability to cross" to be effective.