ability to draw

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to draw" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's skill or talent in creating visual art through drawing. Example: "Her ability to draw realistic portraits has impressed many art critics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The beating erased his ability to draw.

The New York Times

C.L.: You lost the ability to draw.

The New Yorker

"The voice had the ability to draw attention," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

He had the ability to draw an audience into him".

The Guardian - Film

My ability to draw made me indispensable to my parents".

The Guardian - Arts

That limited my ability to draw sex to some degree".

The New Yorker

The ability to draw from other disciplines produces better scientists.

The Washington Post

Gradually and inexorably, she lost the ability to draw realistically.

The Guardian - Arts

But they ended up with 11 and 14 points, thanks to their ability to draw fouls.

The New York Times - Sports

The priest talks of free will and God's ability to "draw good from any evil situation".

The Guardian - Books

The ability to draw breath after a violent incident shouldn't be the final goal.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's artistic strengths, use "ability to draw" to clearly indicate their skill in creating visual art. For example, "Her "ability to draw" detailed portraits makes her a sought-after artist."

Common error

Avoid overstating the phrase's applicability. While versatile, "ability to draw" primarily relates to artistic or representational drawing. Don't use it for unrelated contexts like "ability to draw conclusions" unless the analogy is clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to draw" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "ability" is the head noun and "to draw" serves as an infinitive modifying the noun. This phrase typically describes a specific skill or capacity that an individual possesses, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ability to draw" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase for describing someone's competence in creating visual art through drawing. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and utility across diverse contexts, ranging from news reports to scientific articles. While "ability to draw" maintains a neutral to formal register, it's essential to consider contextual alternatives like "skill in drawing" or "talent for drawing" for nuanced expression. To effectively use "ability to draw", focus on clear communication and avoid overstating its applicability beyond artistic or representational contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skill in drawing

Replaces "ability" with "skill", emphasizing the proficiency in the act of drawing.

talent for drawing

Substitutes "ability" with "talent", highlighting a natural aptitude for drawing.

capacity to draw

Uses "capacity" instead of "ability", indicating the potential or power to draw.

aptitude for drawing

Replaces "ability" with "aptitude", focusing on an inherent inclination to draw.

power to draw

Substitutes "ability" with "power", emphasizing the capability to create drawings.

facility in drawing

Uses "facility" instead of "ability", stressing the ease and smoothness in drawing.

competence in drawing

Replaces "ability" with "competence", focusing on the sufficiency of skills for drawing.

proficiency in drawing

Substitutes "ability" with "proficiency", underlining the expertise in drawing.

expertise in drawing

Uses "expertise" instead of "ability", indicating a high level of skill and knowledge in drawing.

knack for drawing

Replaces "ability" with "knack", implying a special or clever way of drawing.

FAQs

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

You can use "ability to draw" to describe someone's skill in creating visual art. For example, "His "ability to draw" lifelike portraits is remarkable."

What are some alternatives to "ability to draw"?

Some alternatives include "skill in drawing", "talent for drawing", or "capacity to draw" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "skill of drawing" or "ability to draw"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "ability to draw" is more commonly used to describe someone's general aptitude. "Skill of drawing" often refers to a specific technique or aspect.

What's the difference between "aptitude for drawing" and "ability to draw"?

"Aptitude for drawing" implies a natural inclination or potential, while "ability to draw" indicates a developed skill or competence. "Aptitude for drawing" suggests promise, while ability showcases current capability.