ability to solve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to solve" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's skill or capacity to find solutions to problems or challenges. Example: "Her ability to solve complex mathematical equations impressed her teachers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The ability to solve problems.

The New York Times

"Intelligence is the ability to solve problems".

The New Yorker

It has this strange ability to solve problems, first.

The New Yorker

Obama, speaking in the White House, said: "At stake right now is not just our ability to solve this problem but our ability to solve any problem.

The Guardian

The ability to solve complex problems through methodical reasoning is a great life skill.

The New York Times

Some times, mechanics may have lacked the ability to solve the problem.

The New York Times

"You're going to cut down the ability to solve a lot of crimes," Mr. Ferrell said.

The New York Times

The power of a supercomputer is revealed, generally speaking, in its ability to solve tough problems.

The New Yorker

The Big Three's ability to solve this problem, quickly, will largely determine their postbailout fate.

The New York Times

"They seem to have more confidence in our ability to solve our problems than we do".

The New York Times

For me, that is the proof that I have the ability to solve a real problem.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To highlight a specific instance of problem-solving, describe the situation and the demonstrated skill directly. Instead of 'They showed "ability to solve",' say 'They successfully resolved the crisis quickly and efficiently.'

Common error

Avoid using ""ability to solve"" as filler. Instead of vaguely stating "The team had the "ability to solve"", specify what they solved and how. For instance, "The team efficiently resolved the technical issues within 24 hours".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to solve" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes someone's skill or capacity to find solutions to problems or challenges.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ability to solve" is a grammatically correct and widely used noun phrase that describes the capacity or skill to find solutions to problems. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, from news reports to scientific articles. While alternatives like "capacity to resolve" or "skill in problem-solving" exist, the core meaning remains consistent. The key to effective usage lies in specifying the context and avoiding vague or filler statements. This ensures that the phrase adds meaningful information rather than simply stating the obvious.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capacity to resolve

Replaces "ability" with "capacity" and "solve" with "resolve", slightly altering the connotation to emphasize a formal resolution.

skill in problem-solving

Substitutes "ability" with "skill" and transforms "solve" into the compound noun "problem-solving", focusing on expertise.

aptitude for resolving

Uses "aptitude" to denote a natural talent and "resolving" as a more formal synonym for solving.

competence in addressing

Replaces "ability" with "competence" and "solve" with "addressing", suggesting a capability to manage or deal with issues effectively.

talent for untangling

Employs "talent" to signify an innate skill and "untangling" to represent solving complex or confusing situations.

expertise in deciphering

Uses "expertise" to indicate a high level of skill and "deciphering" to imply solving cryptic or obscure problems.

knack for figuring out

Replaces "ability" with "knack", which implies a natural and easy skill, and uses the phrasal verb "figuring out" to denote solving.

power to overcome

Shifts the focus to the strength or capability to surpass challenges, rather than simply solving them.

resourcefulness in handling

Highlights the ingenuity and capability to effectively manage difficult situations, rather than merely solving problems.

potential for resolving

Emphasizes the latent capacity or possibility of solving issues, rather than demonstrated skill.

FAQs

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

You can use "ability to solve" to describe someone's capacity to find solutions to problems, as in "Her "ability to solve" complex problems made her an asset to the team".

What are some alternatives to "ability to solve"?

Alternatives include "capacity to resolve", "skill in problem-solving", or "aptitude for resolving", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "ability to solve problems" or "ability at problem-solving"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "ability to solve problems" is generally more direct and widely used. "Ability at problem-solving" is also acceptable, though slightly less common.

What does it mean to have the "ability to solve" problems?

Having the "ability to solve" problems means possessing the capacity and skills needed to identify, analyze, and resolve issues or challenges effectively.