ability to diagnose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to diagnose" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's skill or competence in identifying problems or conditions, often in a medical or technical context. Example: "The doctor demonstrated a remarkable ability to diagnose complex medical conditions quickly and accurately."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Our ability to diagnose conditions is better than ever, but our ability to diagnose and provide services may not be better.

The New York Times

He also said team physicians must improve their ability to diagnose concussions among players who might not reveal them.

The New York Times - Sports

His ability to diagnose a situation and to identify the faultlines and the weaknesses in it is considerable.

The Guardian

To examine if there were circadian variations in surgeons' ability to diagnose acute appendicitis.

Journal of Surgical Education

He added that after 30 years in the field he had "little confidence" in his ability to diagnose it.

The Guardian

First, improving reps' ability to diagnose needs on the fly proves colossally difficult — especially among average performers.

Harvard Business Review

The ability to diagnose heart problems is one of the greatest medical achievements of the last century.

The New York Times

We utilize advanced, research-based brain imaging and neurogenetic testing methods to improve our ability to diagnose and treat patients.

Cornell University

New devices and techniques are constantly being introduced, advancing the eye care specialist's ability to diagnose and treat eye disorders.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While we have improved our ability to diagnose problems, we have yet to understand how to remedy them.

The New York Times

Although favorable diagnostic accuracy has been reported, there is little if any data about its ability to diagnose gastric cancer.

Digestive and Liver Disease

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ability to diagnose", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being diagnosed. For example, specify "ability to diagnose heart conditions" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "ability to diagnose" without specifying the domain. Saying someone has an "ability to diagnose" is vague; instead, clarify their expertise, such as "ability to diagnose software bugs" or "ability to diagnose learning disabilities".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to diagnose" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples confirm its role in describing a capability or skill.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

39%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ability to diagnose" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the capacity or skill in identifying problems or conditions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable across diverse contexts, ranging from scientific research to news reporting. While versatile, it's crucial to specify the area of diagnosis to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "diagnostic capability" or "skill in diagnosis" can add nuance, but "ability to diagnose" remains a clear and effective choice. The contexts for this term are varied, but most prominently in science, news and media, and academic publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

diagnostic capability

Replaces "ability" with "capability" and uses "diagnostic" as an adjective, emphasizing the diagnostic aspect.

skill in diagnosis

Focuses on "skill" as the noun, changing the structure from "ability to" to "skill in".

capacity for diagnosis

Uses "capacity" as a synonym for "ability", maintaining a similar structure.

competence in diagnosing

Highlights "competence" as the key attribute, shifting the focus slightly to proficiency.

aptitude for diagnosis

Emphasizes natural talent or "aptitude" rather than learned ability.

talent for diagnosing

Uses "talent" to suggest a natural, innate skill in diagnosing.

proficiency in diagnosis

Highlights the level of expertise or "proficiency" in the diagnostic process.

expertise in diagnosing

Emphasizes specialized knowledge and "expertise" in the area of diagnosis.

facility with diagnosis

Focuses on ease and "facility" in handling diagnostic tasks.

knack for diagnosis

Suggests a natural and intuitive "knack" for identifying conditions.

FAQs

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

You can use "ability to diagnose" to describe someone's skill in identifying problems, such as "The doctor's "ability to diagnose" rare diseases is remarkable" or "The mechanic's "ability to diagnose" engine problems quickly saves time".

What are some alternatives to "ability to diagnose"?

Alternatives include "diagnostic capability", "skill in diagnosis", or "capacity for diagnosis", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "ability to diagnose" or "ability of diagnosing"?

"Ability to diagnose" is the correct and more common form. "Ability of diagnosing" is grammatically awkward and less frequently used.

Is "ability to diagnose" formal or informal?

"Ability to diagnose" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.