ability to divert

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to divert" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's capacity to change the direction of something, such as attention, resources, or a conversation. Example: "Her ability to divert the discussion away from sensitive topics helped maintain a positive atmosphere during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

It's all in the context, the interpretation, the ability to divert your attention from the knot in your gut.

The New York Times - Magazine

Few other industries are as good as the technology business in its ability to divert would-be educators into far more lucrative corporate jobs.

The New York Times - Tech

Under the reforms to the common agricultural policy, which were agreed this summer, the government has the ability to divert some of the millions of pounds of funds available – which come ultimately from taxpayers – to environmental stewardship schemes to reward farmers for good practice.

The Guardian

HEDTA has the ability to divert itself through the low-permeability sections in the well due to the buildup in its viscosity after the reaction with calcium carbonate.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

Coreflooding experiments were designed to investigate the ability of the generated foam to reduce injected fluid mobility and hence the ability to divert flow.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

Two specifically designed intrarectal catheters were evaluated for their safety and ability to divert faeces away from the burn and allow wound healing.

Burns

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Is it to highlight its ability to innovate or to divert attention from the car giant's woes?In this section Flight of the locusts General Motors' strange new prototype Big in America?

The Economist

Given that the tubers are the main means of dispersal in this species, this ability of LLCR to divert more carbohydrates to developing tubers in flooded soils could provide a distinct advantage for subsequent establishment in flooded soils.

AoB PLANTS

Such a lazy interpretation overlooks the ability of such fraudsters to divert very substantial sums from others through the mechanism of share price movements.

The Guardian - Business

Significant local decisions included National Audubon Society v. Superior Court (1976), in which the California Supreme Court dramatically limited the ability of the Los Angeles to divert water that might otherwise fill Mono Lake in California's eastern desert.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The ability of the LACMTA board to divert funding from all the projects being touted in the Measure M propaganda to other projects which benefit their friends and patrons.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing abstract concepts like attention or resources, use "ability to divert" to emphasize a controlled change in direction. For example: "The company demonstrated its "ability to divert" funds to new projects."

Common error

Avoid using "ability to divert" when the subject is not actively redirecting something. For instance, instead of saying "Mistakes diverted the project's ability to succeed", a better phrasing is "Mistakes undermined the project's potential for success."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to divert" functions as a noun phrase that describes the capacity or power to change the direction of something, whether it be attention, resources, or a physical entity. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ability to divert" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the capacity to redirect or change the course of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is well-suited for both formal and informal contexts and is commonly found in news, scientific, and business publications. Its effectiveness lies in its neutrality and clarity, making it suitable for discussing abstract concepts like attention or tangible resources. When writing, ensure the subject actively performs the diverting action to maintain clarity and precision. Alternative phrases like "capacity to redirect" or "skill in shifting" can provide nuanced variations depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capacity to redirect

Replaces "ability" with "capacity" and "divert" with "redirect", emphasizing redirection.

skill in shifting

Focuses on the skill aspect, using "shifting" to imply a change in direction or focus.

aptitude for diverting

Highlights natural aptitude and uses "diverting" in its gerund form.

power to deflect

Emphasizes the strength or power to change direction, using "deflect" for a slightly more forceful redirection.

talent for averting

Focuses on preventing or avoiding something, using "averting" to suggest a negative outcome is avoided.

facility in re-routing

Highlights ease and uses "re-routing" to suggest changing a pre-existing path.

resourcefulness in channeling

Emphasizes cleverness and using resources to guide something in a different direction by using "channeling".

potential for redirecting

Focuses on the possible future change, using the word "potential" to indicate the chance.

capability to transfer

Highlights the possibility of passing the value to somewhere else, using the word "transfer".

strength in deflecting

Underlines the robust nature of this attribute, by using the word "strength".

FAQs

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

You can use "ability to divert" to describe the capacity to change the course or direction of something. For example, "The government has the "ability to divert" funds to environmental projects."

What are some alternatives to "ability to divert"?

Alternatives include "capacity to redirect", "skill in shifting", or "power to deflect", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "ability to divert" formal or informal?

"Ability to divert" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, making it a versatile phrase for various types of writing and conversation.

What's the difference between "ability to divert" and "opportunity to divert"?

"Ability to divert" refers to the inherent capacity or power to redirect something, while "opportunity to divert" refers to a chance or occasion to do so. The first is about competence, the second is about circumstances.