ability to move

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to move" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to the physical or mental capability to change one's position or perform certain actions. Example: His eyesight may be poor, but his ability to move and navigate the world around him is impressive.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Glaciers are known for their ability to move, acting as a slow-moving river.

Columbia University

Their ability to move around has recovered visibly.

Stanford University

Mr. Gerber's ability to move markets is well known.

The New York Times

The ability to move me in some way.

The New Yorker

What about the ability to move to another town?

The Guardian

Soon he lost the ability to move the arm.

The New Yorker

This change is made without sacrificing ability to move freely.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"[The Russians] have demonstrated an ability to move very quickly.

The Washington Post

Nerve damage impaired his ability to move muscles.

The New York Times - Health

CellPLL successfully generates ADPLL designs and provides ability to move between production processes.

Integration, the VLSI Journal

Certainly, one such feature is the ability to move seamlessly through almost any type of environment.

Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific skill or feature, follow "ability to move" with a prepositional phrase that clarifies the type of movement or the context. For example, use "ability to move quickly" or "ability to move between departments".

Common error

Avoid using "ability to move" without specifying what is being moved or the context of the movement. Vague statements can lack clarity and reduce the impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to move" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It expresses the capacity or power to change position or take action, physically or metaphorically. As seen in Ludwig, the phrase is used across various contexts to describe movement in both concrete and abstract terms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

25%

Science

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ability to move" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that describes the capacity or power to change position or take action. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various contexts, including academic, news, and scientific domains. When using this phrase, it's important to specify the context or type of movement to enhance clarity. Alternatives such as "capacity for movement" or "potential for mobility" can be used depending on the desired emphasis. The high frequency and consistent usage across authoritative sources make "ability to move" a reliable and versatile phrase in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capacity for movement

Focuses on the potential or inherent capability for movement.

potential for mobility

Highlights the future possibility of moving.

capability to relocate

Emphasizes the possibility of changing location.

power to mobilize

Refers to the strength or influence to initiate movement.

facility in locomotion

Indicates ease and skill in moving.

skill at maneuvering

Emphasizes expertise in directing movement.

freedom to migrate

Highlights the liberty to move from one place to another.

agency in displacement

Focuses on the ability to cause movement or be displaced.

resourcefulness in navigating

Emphasizes cleverness and adaptability in finding a path.

aptitude for shifting

Highlights a natural talent for changing position or state.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "ability to move" in a sentence?

You can use "ability to move" to describe someone's physical capability, as in "The athlete's ability to move swiftly was key to her success". It can also describe strategic maneuverability, like "The company's ability to move quickly into new markets gave them a competitive advantage".

What are some alternatives to "ability to move"?

Depending on the context, you could use "capacity for movement", "potential for mobility", or "skill at maneuvering".

Is it grammatically correct to say "abilities to move" instead of "ability to move"?

While "ability to move" refers to a general capacity, "abilities to move" could refer to specific, varied capabilities. For example, "She demonstrated various abilities to move, including running, jumping, and swimming".

What's the difference between "ability to move" and "opportunity to move"?

"Ability to move" refers to the inherent or developed capability to relocate or act, whereas "opportunity to move" refers to a chance or situation that allows movement or advancement. For instance, "He has the ability to move quickly, but lacks the "opportunities to move" up in the company".