ability to give

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to give" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's capacity or skill to provide something, whether it be information, support, or resources. Example: "Her ability to give constructive feedback has greatly improved the team's performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Women have the ability to give birth.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Develop ability to give technical presentations.

Cornell University

I'm beginning to have an ability to give that back.

Cornell University

We have the ability to give people a new start in life.

The Guardian

What emerges is less a vision of art's ridiculousness than its ability to give people meaning.

The Guardian - Arts

"And then the ability to give and the ability to raise money".

The New York Times - Arts

But she shrugs off any doubts about her ability to give authentic life to Khalid.

The Guardian - Books

Once again, pi has demonstrated its ability to give a supercomputer a heart attack.

The New Yorker

Her ability to give good lectures and teaching rounds was undiminished.

The Guardian

Others applauded Brown's ability to give his millions of fans what they want.

The Guardian - Books

Hardy Eustace has twice demonstrated the priceless ability to give 100% at Cheltenham in the spring.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ability to give" when emphasizing the capacity or power to offer something tangible or intangible. For instance, "Her "ability to give" insightful feedback improved the project significantly."

Common error

Avoid embedding "ability to give" in overly complex sentence structures, which can obscure the meaning. Instead, break down the sentence for clarity. For example, instead of saying, "The project highlighted their "ability to give", which was previously unseen, crucial resources", try "The project highlighted their previously unseen ability to provide crucial resources."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to give" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes the capacity or potential to provide something. Ludwig AI shows numerous examples across various contexts confirming its versatile usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

25%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

6%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ability to give" is a versatile and commonly used noun phrase denoting the capacity or potential to provide something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic settings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by avoiding overly complex sentence structures and choosing it when you truly want to emphasize capability rather than willingness. Consider alternatives like "capacity to provide" or "skill to offer" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capacity to provide

Focuses on the inherent capability to supply or make something available.

skill to offer

Highlights the proficiency or expertise in presenting or supplying something.

potential to impart

Emphasizes the possibility of conveying knowledge, wisdom, or a specific quality.

power to grant

Suggests the authority or legal right to bestow or confer something.

aptitude for bestowing

Indicates a natural talent or inclination towards conferring gifts or honors.

facility in rendering

Highlights the ease and smoothness in providing assistance or a service.

talent for contributing

Emphasizes the natural ability to add value or resources to a situation or cause.

wherewithal to supply

Focuses on having the necessary resources or means to provide something.

resourcefulness in delivering

Highlights the inventive and adaptive ability to provide in challenging situations.

preparedness to extend

Indicates a state of readiness to offer support or assistance.

FAQs

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

Use "ability to give" to emphasize someone's capacity to provide something. For example, "His "ability to give" clear explanations made him an excellent teacher".

What are some alternatives to "ability to give"?

You can use alternatives such as "capacity to provide", "skill to offer", or "potential to impart" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "ability of giving" instead of "ability to give"?

While "giving" can function as a gerund (noun), "ability to give" is generally preferred when expressing the potential or capacity to provide something. Using "ability of giving" might sound awkward in most contexts.

How does "ability to give" differ from "willingness to give"?

"Ability to give" refers to the capacity or power to offer something, whereas "willingness to give" refers to the readiness or inclination to do so. One focuses on capability, the other on disposition.