ability to discover

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to discover" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing someone's capacity or skill to find or uncover information, insights, or knowledge. Example: "Her ability to discover new trends in the market has greatly benefited our company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bradley prides himself on his ability to discover and enlist what he calls "extreme talent".

The New Yorker

"How much it just drowns everything out, the ability to discover things.

The Guardian - Film

"First, dwindling expertise in taxonomy impairs society's ability to discover and describe new species.

The Guardian

There is much less focus on our ability to discover, create and reinvent.

The New York Times

Mojo magazine likened him to Phil Spector for his ability to discover talent and create sounds.

The New York Times - Arts

Anderssen was noted for his ability to discover combination plays calculated to force an immediate decision.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But their ability to discover and study these microbes was impaired because of primitive microbiology tools.

MIT Technology Review

The announcement comes as Congressional committees are investigating the agency's ability to discover drug dangers.

The New York Times

Consequently, supervised methods do not have the ability to discover new classes.

Stanford University

In this case, gender stereotypes inhibit our ability to discover the solution.

Yale University

But that zigzagging path will be emblematic of your company's ability to discover better products and processes.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing a learned skill, use "ability". When referring to a natural talent, consider "aptitude" or "knack".

Common error

Avoid using ""ability to discover"" in overly passive constructions. Instead of "The data's ability to be discovered was limited", try "Researchers were limited in their ability to discover the data".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to discover" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI points out, it describes the capacity or skill to find or uncover information or insights. Examples from Ludwig showcase its use in diverse contexts like scientific research, talent identification, and market analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ability to discover" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe the capacity or skill to find or uncover information. Ludwig AI validates its wide usage across various contexts, including science, news, and academia. While alternatives like "capacity to find" or "skill in uncovering" exist, the original phrase remains a clear and effective choice. Be mindful of avoiding passive constructions and consider the specific nuance you wish to convey when selecting a related phrase. Overall, "ability to discover" is a versatile and valuable phrase for expressing competence in finding new knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capacity to find

Replaces "ability" with "capacity", indicating potential rather than inherent skill.

skill in uncovering

Substitutes "ability" with "skill" and "discover" with "uncovering", emphasizing expertise.

aptitude for detection

Uses "aptitude" and "detection" to focus on a natural talent for finding specific items.

potential to unearth

Replaces "ability" with "potential" and "discover" with "unearth", suggesting hidden things.

talent for identifying

Focuses on inherent talent and the act of pinpointing or recognizing something.

power to reveal

Uses "power" to indicate a strong capability and "reveal" to mean making something known.

facility in locating

Emphasizes ease and efficiency in finding something specific.

knack for discerning

Highlights a special talent for perceiving or recognizing subtle differences.

resourcefulness in finding

Focuses on the inventive and skillful use of resources to find something.

adroitness at ascertaining

Implies skillful and clever competence in finding something with certainty.

FAQs

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

You can use "ability to discover" to describe someone's capacity to find or uncover information. For example: "Her ability to discover new markets was crucial for the company's growth".

What are some alternatives to "ability to discover"?

Alternatives include "capacity to find", "skill in uncovering", or "aptitude for detection", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "ability to discover" or "ability of discovering"?

"Ability to discover" is the correct and more common construction. "Ability of discovering" is grammatically awkward and less frequently used.

Is there a difference between "ability to discover" and "opportunity to discover"?

Yes, "ability to discover" refers to the capacity or skill to find something, while "opportunity to discover" refers to the chance or situation that allows for finding something. For example, improvements in technology increased researchers' "ability to discover" new treatments, while funding provided them with the "opportunities to discover" these treatments.