ability to reward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to reward" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's capacity or power to provide rewards or incentives, often in a professional or motivational context. Example: "A good manager should have the ability to reward their team for outstanding performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

The Senator is well-known for his ability to reward friends and punish enemies.

The New York Times

The result was news coverage in two battlegrounds and the ability to reward Ohio supporters with tickets to another presidential event.

The Washington Post

A recent report by Stephen Labaton of The Times contained a nice illustration of the U.S. government's ability to reward media companies that do what it wants.

The New York Times

But because praise means so many things and exists in such complicated motivational contexts, its ability to reward us and indicate our value is questionable.

Harvard Business Review

Nearly every economist I spoke with said that Conard has too much faith in the market's ability to reward only those who create real value.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. Kessel seems to dwell on Lilco's ability to reward their executives, yet fails to observe his own string of rewards for his anti-establishment behavior at the hands of his personal benefactor and ideological twin, Gov. Mario M. Cuomo.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Last, someone has to make sense of the difference between accounting standards used in Europe and those used in the United States and understand how those standards cloud companies' abilities to reward executives and accurately assess their own performance relative to rivals'.

Harvard Business Review

In order to make real change, you have to understand human resources, you have to understand technology and the transparency of data and the ability to actually reward people for things other than showing up.

The New York Times - Magazine

The political clout of unions in the public sector is a function of their ability, among politicians, to reward their friends and hurt their enemies.

Huffington Post

If you reduce bankers' profits, the thinking goes, you reduce their ability to be rewarded by their greed.

Forbes

One of the best parts of having credit cards is the ability to be rewarded to do what you normally do anyway –spend money on what you need.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing organizational structures, emphasize the importance of a clear "ability to reward" system to motivate employees and align their efforts with company goals.

Common error

Don't assume that simple recognition is enough. Ensure that you provide tangible rewards, such as bonuses or promotions, to truly demonstrate the value of the "ability to reward" within your organizational strategy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to reward" functions as a noun phrase. It describes the capacity or power to provide incentives or recognition. This is supported by Ludwig, which shows that this phrase is often used in contexts related to management, economics, and organizational behavior.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ability to reward" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the capacity or power to provide incentives or recognition. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and finds its place across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. When using this phrase, consider alternatives like "capacity to incentivize" or "power to recompense" to add variety to your writing. Understanding the appropriate use and context of this phrase, as well as avoiding common pitfalls such as confusing recognition with tangible benefits, will enhance the clarity and effectiveness of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capacity to incentivize

Replaces "reward" with a synonym, slightly shifting the focus to motivation.

power to recompense

Uses more formal synonyms for both "ability" and "reward", increasing the formality of the phrase.

authority to grant bonuses

Specifies a particular type of reward, limiting the scope of the phrase.

means of acknowledging merit

Focuses on the recognition aspect of rewarding, using a more descriptive phrase.

opportunity to give incentives

Shifts the focus to the chance or occasion for rewarding, rather than the inherent capability.

scope to offer compensation

Highlights the extent or range within which rewards can be provided, using a more formal tone.

right to bestow benefits

Emphasizes the entitlement or legal permission to give rewards, increasing the formality.

latitude to acknowledge contribution

Stresses the freedom or flexibility in recognizing contributions, using more sophisticated vocabulary.

resource for incentivizing performance

Presents the concept as a tool or asset for encouraging better performance, changing the perspective.

option to offer a perk

Focuses on the possibility of providing an advantage or benefit, making it more specific.

FAQs

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

You can use "ability to reward" to describe a power or capacity to provide incentives or recognition, such as, "The manager's "ability to reward" high performance boosted team morale."

What are some alternatives to "ability to reward"?

Alternatives include "capacity to incentivize", "power to recompense", or "authority to grant bonuses", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "ability to reward" or "capacity to reward"?

Both "ability to reward" and "capacity to reward" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does "ability to reward" differ from "opportunity to reward"?

"Ability to reward" implies a consistent capability or power, while "opportunity to reward" suggests a specific occasion or chance to provide a reward.