ability to hide

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to hide" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's or something's capacity to conceal or keep something out of sight. Example: "The cat has an impressive ability to hide from its owner, often disappearing for hours at a time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This takes away their ability to hide".

The New Yorker

They are very intelligent girls and they had the ability to hide," he said.

The Guardian

Is perhaps part of the genius of all great artists their ability to hide their sweat?

The Guardian - Books

What both have is the absolutist's ability to hide behind the sanctity of God and nationhood.

The Guardian - Books

One of cancer's cleverest tricks is its ability to hide from the immune system.

MIT Technology Review

"Trump has no filter and no ability to hide his feelings.

The Washington Post

At the same time, North Korea's ability to hide critical facts about its weapons capability has improved.

The New York Times

The advantage is deception, the ability to hide the ball and throw it from an angle hitters rarely see.

The New York Times

The ability to hide unconscious bodies is poorly done, although so rarely needed that there is little reason for it.

The New York Times - Tech

Belkin's new Concealed Surge Protector combines function with form, and the ability to hide cables is just the start.

The New York Times - Tech

Only the other day, the company announced the termination of users' ability to hide from Facebook searches.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific instance of concealment, consider adding detail to the direct object, like "ability to hide assets" or "ability to hide emotions" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase in overly broad contexts without specifying what is being hidden or the context of the hiding. Ensure the sentence provides enough information to understand the scope and relevance of the "ability to hide".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to hide" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the capacity or skill of someone or something to conceal themselves or something else. Ludwig examples confirm its frequent use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

24%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ability to hide" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that describes the capacity or skill to conceal. Ludwig confirms its correctness and prevalence across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science and Academia. When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies what is being hidden and the purpose behind it. Consider alternatives like "capacity for concealment" or "skill at concealing" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capacity for concealment

Emphasizes the potential or inherent capability to conceal.

skill at concealing

Highlights the expertise or proficiency in hiding something.

aptitude for camouflage

Focuses on the natural or learned talent for blending in.

talent for disguise

Highlights the specific skill of altering appearance to avoid detection.

knack for invisibility

Implies a natural and effortless ability to remain unseen.

power of obfuscation

Stresses the strength in making things unclear or unintelligible.

art of deception

Focuses on the manipulative skill involved in hiding the truth.

facility for secrecy

Emphasizes the ease with which one can maintain confidentiality.

potential for obscurity

Highlights the possibility of fading into the background or being forgotten.

means of concealment

Focuses on the methods or tools used to hide something.

FAQs

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

You can use "ability to hide" to describe someone or something's capacity to conceal or remain unseen. For example, "The chameleon's camouflage gives it the "ability to hide" from predators."

What are some alternatives to "ability to hide"?

Alternatives include "capacity for concealment", "skill at concealing", or "aptitude for camouflage" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Check out also "means of concealment".

Is "ability to hide" grammatically correct?

Yes, "ability to hide" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. Ludwig AI also confirms its correctness.

What is the difference between "ability to hide" and "tendency to hide"?

"Ability to hide" refers to the capability or skill to conceal something, while "tendency to hide" describes a habitual inclination to seek concealment. They differ in that "ability to hide" suggests a skill, while tendency implies a behavioral pattern.