ability to react to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to react to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing someone's or something's capacity to respond to various situations or stimuli. Example: "The team's ability to react to unexpected challenges was crucial for the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Modern shmups demand incredible skill levels, pushing the ability to react to dense clouds of bullets.

The Guardian - Tech

The safety administration appears understaffed and underfinanced, hampering its ability to react to such crises.

The New York Times

We destroy tree social structures, we destroy their ability to react to climate change.

Yale University

One protein appears to control neurons' ability to react to new experiences, MIT scientists show.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Flexibility and the ability to react to different situations is lost.

The New York Times

In prehistoric times, cavemen relied on this rapid ability to react to danger.

Independent

Neurologic deterioration also causes the pupils of the eye to lose their ability to react to changes in light.

Britannica

Coaching games takes the ability to react to situations, deal with personalities and move forward to a common goal.

The New York Times

A key property of living cells is their ability to react to stimuli with specific biochemical responses.

Mathematical Biosciences

Drivers' ability to react to unpredictable events deteriorates when exposed to highly predictable and uneventful driving tasks.

Accident Analysis & Prevention

Some members of the organization believe Sehorn could be an excellent safety because of his ability to react to the ball.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "ability to react to", ensure the subject of the sentence clearly identifies what is reacting and to what it is reacting. For example: "The company's ability to react to market changes allowed it to stay competitive."

Common error

Avoid vague sentences where the stimulus for the reaction is unclear. Instead of saying "They have the ability to react", specify what they are reacting to, such as "They have the ability to react to customer feedback effectively".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to react to" functions as a noun phrase, specifying the capacity or skill to respond to a given stimulus or situation. Ludwig's examples showcase its wide use across varied contexts, affirming its established grammatical role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Academia

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ability to react to" is a versatile and frequently used expression for describing the capacity to respond effectively to stimuli or situations. Grammatically correct and widely accepted, it is found across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic writing, as validated by Ludwig. While alternatives like "capacity to respond to" or "skill in responding to" exist, understanding the nuance each offers is crucial for precise communication. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what is reacting and to what. The Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and provides numerous examples to enhance understanding and usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capacity to respond to

Emphasizes the potential or inherent capability to react.

capability to adapt to

Highlights the flexibility and adjustment aspect of reacting.

skill in responding to

Focuses on the proficiency and expertise in reacting effectively.

aptitude for reacting to

Suggests a natural talent or inclination towards reacting.

readiness to respond to

Implies a state of preparedness and willingness to react.

preparedness to react to

Highlights the state of being ready and equipped to react.

agility in responding to

Emphasizes the quickness and nimbleness of the reaction.

flexibility in reacting to

Highlights the adaptability and ease of adjusting the reaction.

facility in responding to

Suggests an ease and smoothness in the manner of reacting.

competence in reacting to

Focuses on the demonstrated ability and effectiveness in reacting.

FAQs

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

Use "ability to react to" to describe someone's or something's capacity to respond to different situations or stimuli. For example, "The team's "ability to react to" unexpected challenges was crucial for the project's success".

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

You can use alternatives like "capacity to respond to", "skill in responding to", or "capability to adapt to" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "ability of reacting to" instead of "ability to react to"?

While "ability of reacting" might be grammatically acceptable in some contexts, ""ability to react to"" is the more common and generally preferred phrasing when referring to the capacity to respond to stimuli.

What's the difference between "ability to react to" and "tendency to react to"?

"Ability to react to" refers to the capacity or skill in responding, whereas "tendency to react to" implies a predisposition or inclination to respond in a certain way. The former focuses on capability, the latter on behavioral pattern.