ability to excite

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to excite" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's capacity to generate enthusiasm, interest, or emotional response in others. Example: "The speaker's ability to excite the audience was evident in the way they engaged with their stories."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

He has the ability to excite everyone who sees him".

The Economist

Mr. Theobald marveled at the dancers' ability to excite a crowd.

The New York Times

The governor's race in Virginia is also being closely watched for what it may say about Mr. Obama's ability to excite his supporters to back Democratic candidates.

The New York Times

Mr. Ryan, who was chosen as Mitt Romney's running mate for his ability to excite the conservative base, made one of his strongest appeals yet to bipartisanship.

The New York Times

The results of the "very conservative" bloc are probably of greater importance for Mr. Romney, who still faces questions about his ability to excite that kind of voter.

The New York Times

But by traveling here -- Mr. Gore will be back in the state on Monday -- the new Democratic team was able to test its ability to excite party loyalists whose support will be vital in November.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Ultrasonic transducers have demonstrated the ability to effectively excite guided waves that can propagate over long distances and are thus employed in monitoring systems.

NDT & E International

Although a supercontinuum source has previously been incorporated into evanescent field microscopes, both in TIRF [ 15] and waveguide [ 16] modes, the excitation power at the sample was insufficient for single molecule detection and the ability to simultaneously excite and detect multiple wavelengths was not exploited.

Biomedical Optics Express

We were concerned that over the course of the 20 min behavioral experiments, continuous exposure to red light might exhaust the ability of CsChrimson to excite neural activity or that larvae might adapt to the stimulus presentation and cease responding.

eLife

Pro-myocytes eventually segregated from these primordial cells, and protoneurons were evolved from the same epithelial cells (that lost their contractile ability) in order to excite myocytes, and possibly other cell types.

Communicative and Integrative Biology

The ability to be excited for each other's success, not to develop territory and walls, but to stay participatory.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a speaker's effectiveness, use "ability to excite" to highlight their capacity to engage and captivate their audience, ensuring you use strong verbs in your sentence to emphasize the impact.

Common error

Avoid using "ability to excite" with overly abstract nouns. Instead of saying "The project's ability to excite innovation is limited", specify who or what is being excited: "The project has limited ability to excite the team to innovate."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to excite" functions as a noun phrase acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a capacity or potential for generating enthusiasm or interest. The Ludwig examples illustrate its use in diverse contexts, showing its adaptability in expressing this concept.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

31%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ability to excite" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that describes the capacity to generate enthusiasm or interest. As Ludwig AI confirms, it fits seamlessly into various contexts, particularly News & Media and Science, as evidenced by the numerous examples. While versatile, it's best to use it with concrete nouns for clarity. Consider alternatives like "capacity to enthuse" or "power to captivate" for nuanced meanings. By understanding its function and usage patterns, you can effectively incorporate "ability to excite" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capacity to enthuse

Focuses on generating enthusiasm, slightly more intense than just excitement.

power to captivate

Emphasizes holding someone's attention, suggesting a more sustained interest.

skill at galvanizing

Highlights the ability to spur action or movement, adding a sense of purpose.

knack for stimulating

Suggests a natural talent for encouraging activity or thought.

talent for arousing

Implies awakening interest or emotion, perhaps from a dormant state.

potential to invigorate

Focuses on imparting energy and vitality, suggesting a revitalizing effect.

aptitude for thrilling

Highlights the capacity to create a sense of excitement and anticipation.

competence in animating

Emphasizes bringing something to life or making it more vibrant.

facility in stirring

Suggests an ease in creating a strong emotional response.

strength in electrifying

Highlights the capacity to create a sudden and intense excitement.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "ability to excite" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "capacity to stimulate interest", "potential to generate enthusiasm", or "skill at galvanizing support". These alternatives offer a similar meaning while maintaining a professional register.

What verbs commonly follow "ability to excite"?

The phrase "ability to excite" is often followed by nouns representing the target of the excitement, such as "ability to excite crowds", "ability to excite voters", or "ability to excite interest". The focus is on what is being excited.

Is there a difference between "ability to excite" and "ability to inspire"?

While both phrases refer to generating a positive response, "ability to excite" focuses on creating enthusiasm or eagerness, whereas "ability to inspire" suggests motivating or encouraging someone to act or feel something deeply.

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

You can use "ability to excite" in a sentence like this: "The candidate's "ability to excite" the electorate was key to their victory" or "The film's "ability to excite" strong emotions made it a critical success".