ability to learn and use

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to learn and use" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's capacity to acquire knowledge or skills and apply them effectively. Example: "Her ability to learn and use new software quickly made her an invaluable asset to the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

WHY might football players have an "innate ability" to learn and use sign language?

The New York Times

The study found remarkable differences in the students' ability to learn and use the new numbering system.

The Guardian

'I am sure Steven Pinker would like to think this study proves we all inherit a grammatical ability to learn and use language.

The Guardian

A study of university students found that gentle electrical stimulation to the rear of the brain boosted their ability to learn and use numbers for up to six months.

The Guardian

As with many new biological tools, not everyone has the access, time and ability to learn and use CRISPR efficiently to get the results they want.

TechCrunch

A very common blooper that greatly degrades people's ability to learn and use Websites and Web-based applications is using different terms for the same concept in different places.

Web Bloopers 60 Common Web Design Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Baird replied, identifying the bird and praising the boy's artistic abilities, yet cautioning him to learn and use the scientific names of birds in further correspondence.

Wikipedia

Cohen and Levinthal (1990) 101 Absorptive capacity: A new perspective on learning and innovation Put forward the concept of absorptive capacity, or the ability to learn and recognize new information and use it commercially.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

Because of their ability to learn and adapt they can be used to find complex relations between different properties.

Construction and Building Materials

Alcohol use can reduce the ability to learn and to perform sexual risk-reduction strategies [ 11].

BMC Public Health

Individuals and communities have generally developed intrinsic abilities to learn and adjust, using different skills and sources of knowledge and self-organization, and involving social networks and institutional linkages that help them in the face of disaster (Haque and Etkin 2007).

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "ability" with a more specific term like "skill", "aptitude", or "capacity" depending on the context and the desired level of formality.

Common error

Avoid using "ability to learn and use" in contexts where the "use" aspect is already implied by the verb itself. For example, instead of "ability to learn and use a language", simply say "ability to learn a language".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to learn and use" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a general competence or capacity. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ability to learn and use" describes someone's capacity to acquire knowledge or skills and apply them effectively. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While grammatically correct and versatile, it's crucial to consider the context and choose the most precise phrasing. For instance, more formal alternatives like "aptitude for acquiring and utilizing" may be suitable in certain scenarios. The frequency of this phrase is uncommon, appearing often in Science, News & Media and Wiki contexts. When writing, avoid redundancy by ensuring that the "use" aspect isn't already implied. Remember to follow the phrase with specific nouns that clarify the area of expertise. By minding these small adjustments, one can effectively use and convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skill in acquiring and applying

Replaces "ability" with "skill", highlighting the proficiency aspect of learning and application.

competence in learning and application

Highlights the adequacy and suitability in the activities of acquiring and using.

capacity to grasp and implement

Substitutes "learn" with "grasp" and "use" with "implement", focusing on understanding and practical application.

expertise in understanding and applying

Highlights expert knowledge in the activities of acquiring and using.

aptitude for acquiring and utilizing

Replaces "ability" with "aptitude" and restructures the phrase for a more formal tone.

facility for grasping and utilizing

Replaces "ability" with "facility", highlighting the ease aspect of learning and application.

potential to assimilate and utilize

Emphasizes the potential to absorb information and put it to practical use.

proficiency in understanding and employing

Highlights the level of expertise in comprehending and using information.

knack for picking up and applying

Suggests a natural ease in learning and applying knowledge.

talent for mastering and leveraging

Focuses on the innate talent for gaining expertise and using it to advantage.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "ability to learn and use" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases such as "aptitude for acquiring and utilizing" or "capacity to grasp and implement". These alternatives replace common words with more sophisticated vocabulary.

Is there a difference between "ability to learn and use" and "skill in learning and applying"?

While similar, "ability to learn and use" generally refers to the potential or capacity to acquire knowledge and apply it. "Skill in learning and applying", on the other hand, emphasizes proficiency and expertise in both learning and application.

What are some situations where "ability to learn and use" is particularly relevant?

This phrase is useful in contexts where you want to emphasize both the acquisition of knowledge and the practical application of that knowledge. It's commonly used when describing someone's potential in a new role, or the benefits of a training program.

Are there any contexts where "ability to learn and use" might not be the best choice?

If the context only focuses on the potential to learn without any implied use, or if the application is already obvious, a simpler phrase like "learning ability" might be more appropriate.