ability to help people

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to help people" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing someone's skills or qualities that enable them to assist others effectively. Example: "Her ability to help people in need has made her a beloved figure in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

We have the ability to help people.

The New York Times

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has expressed his belief in government's ability to help people overcome poverty.

The New York Times

Trazodone is criticized as lacking high-quality research data on its ability to help people sleep.

The New York Times

"The Wii has the ability to help people improve their movement, not just fitness," said Craig.

The Guardian

SAN FRANCISCO — Google's popularity was built on its ability to help people find just the right Web pages.

The New York Times

Rahul led a group that was focused on our ability to help people move from data to action.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

He said he has tried to use his abilities to help people less fortunate than himself.

Huffington Post

His powers further isolate him from the world, yet he is determined to do what he thinks is right and use his abilities to help people.

Huffington Post

The ability of Qnexa to help people lose weight was not seriously questioned by the F.D.A. reviewers, although they did note that in the second year of one clinical trial, patients taking the drug regained roughly 10 to 20 percent of the weight they had lost in the first year.

The New York Times - Health

He quickly discovered he had an ability and desire to help people sort their problems.

Los Angeles Times

While cuts in state support to universities have had the highly visible result of causing tuition -- and student indebtedness -- to rise rapidly, even more dire consequences may come from the much-less-visible reduction in the ability of universities to help people in need.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing someone's helpful nature, follow "ability to help people" with a specific example of their actions to strengthen the impact.

Common error

Avoid using "ability to help people" as a generic compliment without providing concrete details. Instead, specify the area or context where this ability is demonstrated to make the praise more meaningful and credible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to help people" functions as a noun phrase that describes the capacity or competence to provide assistance or support to others. It is used to highlight someone's helpful nature or a system's potential for positive impact, and as Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ability to help people" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the capacity or competence to assist others. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely applicable across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. Rephrasing options such as "capacity to assist individuals" and "skill in aiding others" can add nuance or formality. When using the phrase, be specific about the area or context where this ability is demonstrated to enhance its impact. While versatile, it's important to ensure that the expression aligns with the intended message, and it's advisable to avoid using it as a vague compliment without providing concrete details. Overall, the phrase conveys a positive attribute, emphasizing the potential for positive change and support.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capacity to assist individuals

Replaces "ability" with "capacity" and "help people" with "assist individuals" for a more formal tone.

capability to aid individuals

Replaces "ability" with "capability" and "help people" with "aid individuals".

skill in aiding others

Emphasizes the proficiency or expertise in providing assistance.

power to support individuals

Highlights the influence or strength one has to provide assistance.

potential for assisting people

Focuses on the unrealized capability to help.

resources for supporting others

Emphasizes the availability of means and materials to provide help.

talent for assisting individuals

Highlights a natural aptitude for helping.

means of supporting people

Focuses on the method and resources used to help.

opportunity to assist individuals

Focuses on the occasion to provide assistance.

effectiveness in helping people

Emphasizes the positive outcome and success in providing help.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "ability to help people" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "capacity to assist individuals" or "skill in aiding others".

What are some synonyms for "ability to help people" that highlight different aspects of helping?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "power to support individuals" (emphasizing influence), "potential for assisting people" (focusing on unrealized capability), or "talent for assisting individuals" (highlighting a natural aptitude).

Is it grammatically correct to say "abilities to help people"?

While "ability to help people" is generally used in the singular, "abilities to help people" is also correct when referring to a range of different capabilities or skills that enable someone to assist others. You can review some "real world examples".

How does "ability to help people" differ from "willingness to help people"?

"Ability to help people" refers to having the necessary skills, resources, or power to assist others. "Willingness to help people", on the other hand, indicates a readiness or eagerness to provide assistance, regardless of one's capabilities. It's about the intention rather than the capacity.