ability to identify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to identify" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's skill or capacity to recognize or distinguish something. Example: "Her ability to identify key trends in the data has greatly improved our decision-making process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He has an uncanny ability to identify with the audience".

The New York Times

Test your ability to identify proper English under pressure.

The New Yorker

Professional clubs appreciate bio-banding's ability to identify late developers.

The Guardian - Sport

People's ability to identify good projects has definitely improved".

The Guardian - Film

Regulators have limited ability to identify such trusts and foundations and monitor them.

The New York Times

This hampers our ability to identify important differences that could benefit the health of all.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Rodenstock was known for his discerning nose and his ability to identify wines in blind tastings.

The New Yorker

Much of its force derived from Nelsons' ability to identify himself totally with the score.

The Guardian - Music

Renney's ability to identify and work with young players is considered one of his major strengths.

The New York Times - Sports

This hampered the C.D.C.'s ability to identify it and make predictions.

The New York Times

Many have an ability to identify isolated musical notes, which professional musicians covet.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing a developed skill, use "ability to identify". When highlighting a potential or inherent quality, consider alternatives like "capacity to recognize".

Common error

While "ability to identify" is versatile, overuse in formal writing can make it sound generic. Opt for more precise verbs like "discern", "detect", or "ascertain" to add nuance and specificity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to identify" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the capacity or skill to recognize and distinguish particular elements. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ability to identify" is a versatile and commonly used expression that describes the capacity or skill to recognize or distinguish something. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable in various contexts. While it is a valuable phrase, it's important to consider the specific context and choose more precise alternatives when nuance and specificity are required. Overuse can lead to generic sounding writing, so be mindful of varying your language. Sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and Forbes frequently employ this phrase, demonstrating its broad acceptance and utility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capacity to recognize

Replaces "ability" with "capacity", focusing on the potential to recognize.

skill in discerning

Substitutes "ability" with "skill" and "identify" with "discerning", emphasizing expertise in distinguishing.

aptitude for recognizing

Emphasizes a natural talent or inclination for recognizing.

potential to detect

Focuses on the inherent possibility of detecting something, rather than a demonstrated skill.

power to distinguish

Highlights the strength or capability to differentiate between things.

expertise in pinpointing

Emphasizes specialized knowledge in accurately locating or identifying.

talent for spotting

Suggests a natural, often unlearned, skill for noticing or identifying.

knack for detecting

Implies an intuitive or acquired ease in finding or detecting.

competence in recognizing

Focuses on having the necessary skills and knowledge to recognize effectively.

facility in determining

Highlights the ease and efficiency in ascertaining or determining something.

FAQs

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

Use "ability to identify" to describe someone's skill or capacity to recognize or distinguish something. For example: "Her ability to identify key trends in the data is crucial."

What can I say instead of "ability to identify"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "capacity to recognize", "skill in discerning", or "aptitude for recognizing".

Is it better to say "ability to identify" or "skill to identify"?

"Ability" generally refers to a potential or inherent capacity, while "skill" implies a developed proficiency. Both are correct, but "skill to identify" /s/skill+to+identify suggests more expertise.

What's the difference between "ability to identify" and "ability to analyze"?

"Ability to identify" refers to recognizing or distinguishing something, while "ability to analyze" involves examining something in detail to understand it. Identifying is often a precursor to analysis.