ability to handle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to handle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's capacity or skill to manage a particular task or situation. Example: "Her ability to handle stressful situations makes her an excellent candidate for the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Programming requires patience and the ability to handle detail.

The New Yorker

One of Mauer's strengths is his ability to handle pitchers.

The New York Times - Sports

Sharapova's ability to handle Kvitova's serve will be key.

The New York Times - Sports

A county spokeswoman said the calls could interfere with the ability to handle emergencies.

The New York Times

One problem in developing solutions is all the variation in travelers' ability to handle jet lag.

The New York Times

At current levels, hospitals have almost no ability to handle an unexpected increase in patients.

The New York Times

Lee said he had worried privately before takeoff about his ability to handle the plane.

The Guardian

In many ways the event had grown beyond Mr. Mole's ability to handle it alone.

The New York Times

The programme will demand grit, strategic thinking, and the ability to handle extremely difficult situations.

The Guardian - Opinion

Scores of students are turning up, hesitant about their ability to handle four years of college.

The New York Times

The police had misread the crowd and their ability to handle it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's qualifications, specify the context: instead of simply saying "ability to handle", provide details like "ability to handle complex projects" or "ability to handle customer complaints effectively".

Common error

Avoid using "ability to handle" without specifying what needs to be handled. For instance, stating "the candidate has an ability to handle" is vague. Instead, specify what the candidate can handle, such as "the candidate has an ability to handle difficult clients".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to handle" functions as a noun phrase that describes a person's or entity's competence or capability to manage, control, or deal with something effectively. Ludwig provides examples across various domains showcasing this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ability to handle" is a versatile and frequently used noun phrase that describes the capacity to manage or deal with something effectively. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability across diverse contexts such as News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business. When using the phrase, it's crucial to specify the context to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "capacity to manage" or "skill in dealing with" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. By following these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately use "ability to handle" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capacity to manage

Focuses on the inherent capability to oversee and control.

skill in dealing with

Emphasizes proficiency and expertise in managing something specific.

competence in addressing

Highlights the adequacy and skill in tackling an issue.

expertise in managing

Focuses on specialized knowledge and skill in overseeing something.

aptitude for dealing with

Highlights a natural inclination or talent for managing something.

proficiency in tackling

Focuses on the adeptness and skill in confronting a challenge.

facility in addressing

Highlights ease and skill in taking care of something.

talent for managing

Emphasizes an innate gift or skill in overseeing something effectively.

knack for dealing with

Focuses on a specific, clever way of managing something.

potential for resolving

Highlights the latent capacity to find solutions, changing the focus from pure management to problem-solving.

FAQs

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

You can use "ability to handle" to describe someone's capacity or skill in managing a task, situation, or object. For example, "Her ability to handle stressful situations is remarkable".

What are some alternatives to "ability to handle"?

Alternatives include "capacity to manage", "skill in dealing with", or "competence in addressing", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "ability to handle" or "skill in handling"?

Both "ability to handle" and "skill in handling" are correct, but "ability to handle" is more general. "Skill in handling" emphasizes expertise. Choose the phrase that best fits the context.

What's the difference between "ability to handle" and "ability to cope with"?

"Ability to handle" generally refers to managing or controlling a situation or task, while "ability to cope with" refers to managing emotional or psychological stress. For example, you might have the "ability to handle" a project, but the "ability to cope with" the stress caused by it.