ability to detect and

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to detect and" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing someone's or something's capacity to identify or recognize certain elements or phenomena. Example: "The ability to detect and analyze patterns in data is crucial for effective decision-making."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We've improved our ability to detect and stop terrorist activity.

The New York Times

"But Bob has an ability to detect and take opportunities.

The Economist

"Humans," he writes, "have a phenomenal ability to detect and interpret simple patterns.

The New York Times

The ability to detect and identify chemical substances in the environment offers an obvious survival benefit.

The New York Times - Science

"The tempo will increase, as will the ability to detect and hide equipment".

The New York Times

"These measures will help to improve our ability to detect and isolate Ebola cases.

The Guardian

The patient would have a practiced ability to detect and report side-effects.

The New York Times

He offers conclusions about, inter alia, Napster's ability to detect and prevent infringement.

Harvard University

The ability to detect and understand arrhythmias, or abnormal heartbeats, is far from simple.

Cornell University

We are now investigating how we can enhance our ability to detect and address such bugs in advance.

The Guardian - Tech

"Concerns persist about Chinese willingness as well as ability to detect and prevent illicit transfers," the CRS report said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a system or tool, be specific about what factors the "ability to detect and" is applicable to. For example, "the ability to detect and prevent network intrusions" is more informative than simply "the ability to detect and prevent".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "ability to detect and" in vague contexts. Always specify what is being detected to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity. Saying a software has the "ability to detect and" without mentioning what it detects makes the statement meaningless.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to detect and" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It indicates the capacity or power to recognize the presence of something, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment that it's grammatically correct and widely usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

32%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ability to detect and" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to denote the capacity to identify something, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It appears frequently in diverse contexts, including science, news, and academia. When using this phrase, it's crucial to specify what is being detected to avoid vagueness and enhance clarity. The related phrases offer alternative ways to convey similar meanings, adjusting the level of formality and specific nuance. While "ability to detect and" is already quite common, using precise language in describing its application ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capacity to identify and

Replaces "ability" with "capacity", which emphasizes the potential to perform the action.

skill in recognizing and

Substitutes "ability" with "skill", highlighting expertise, and "detect" with "recognizing", which focuses on awareness.

competence in identifying and

Replaces "ability" with "competence", emphasizing the qualifications to perform.

proficiency in spotting and

Uses "proficiency" to denote competence and "spotting" for quick identification.

adeptness at noticing and

Employs "adeptness" to suggest a natural talent and "noticing" for casual detection.

talent for discerning and

Uses "talent" to imply an innate aptitude and "discerning" for refined perception.

aptitude for sensing and

Substitutes "ability" with "aptitude", indicating a natural inclination, and "detect" with "sensing", suggesting intuition.

power to perceive and

Replaces "ability" with "power", which emphasizes control and "detect" with "perceive", suggesting awareness and understanding.

knack for uncovering and

Employs "knack" to denote a special skill, and "uncovering" for finding something hidden.

facility in distinguishing and

Substitutes "ability" with "facility", indicating ease of performance, and "detect" with "distinguishing", which emphasizes the comparison to other stimuli.

FAQs

How can I use "ability to detect and" in a sentence?

You can use "ability to detect and" to describe a capacity to identify something, for example: "The sensor has the "ability to detect and" measure changes in temperature".

What are some alternatives to "ability to detect and"?

Alternatives include "capacity to identify and", "skill in recognizing and", or "proficiency in spotting and" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "ability to detect and" and "ability to identify and"?

While similar, "detect" implies noticing something that might be hidden or subtle, while "identify" suggests recognizing and categorizing something already detected. The "ability to detect and" is about noticing, and the ability to identify goes a step further to classify.

Is "ability to detect and respond" better than just "ability to detect and"?

It depends on the context. If responding is an inherent part of the process, then "ability to detect and respond" is more complete. If the detection is separate from any response, then "ability to detect and" is sufficient.