ability to source

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to source" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's skill or capability in finding or obtaining information, resources, or materials. Example: "Her ability to source high-quality materials at competitive prices has greatly benefited our project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Confidentiality is unnecessary, as are contacts in the private sector or the ability to source fundraising.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A dealer's success is determined not by gender or ethnicity, but by their ability to source the work that collectors and museums want.

The Guardian - Arts

"These people have an almost unbelievable ability to source exquisite, unique coffees," Mark Prince, senior editor at the coffee appreciation Web site coffeegeek.com, wrote in an e-mail.

The New York Times - Food

Unite has delivered around 34,000 beds over the past decade meaning we are relaxed over its ability to source and deliver 2,500 beds in 2015/16.

The Guardian - Business

But its ability to source parts quickly and cheaply remains the envy of many competitors, who are keen to copy its methods.

The Economist

And as the UK shifts from being a net energy exporter to a net importer, our ability to source a diverse range of secure, competitively priced energy supplies will be one of the most important challenges we face as a country - affecting our economy, our environment and, ultimately, our national security.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

It hasn't always been easy to find out about maritime management opportunities because the scale of growth has created tremendous pressure on cruise companies' abilities to source staff.

Independent

The ability to regularly source pre-release leaks earned one the ultimate accolade in digital piracy: to be among the "elite".

The New Yorker

While a number of these claims proved to be false extortion attempts, we did identify and fix a vulnerability that was related to the ability to access source code through an injection vulnerability".

The Guardian - Tech

The results demonstrate the model's applicability under observed field conditions and its ability to predict source zone depletion.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

But Google's edge is in its ability to collectively source products from retailers all over the web rather from a single e-commerce platform.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a company's competitive advantage, use "ability to source" to highlight their efficient procurement processes.

Common error

Avoid using "ability to source" in overly general contexts. Instead, specify what is being sourced (e.g., "ability to source sustainable materials" rather than just "ability to source").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to source" functions as a noun phrase, describing a capability or competence. It is used to denote the capacity to find and obtain resources. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ability to source" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that describes the capability to find and obtain resources. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to highlight competence in procurement, often emphasizing efficiency and competitive advantage. This phrase appears frequently in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using "ability to source", ensure that the specific resources being sourced are clear to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "capability to procure" or "skill in sourcing" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capability to procure

Focuses on the act of obtaining something, emphasizing the means and method.

capacity to acquire

Highlights the potential or maximum amount that can be obtained.

skill in sourcing

Emphasizes the expertise and proficiency in finding resources.

aptitude for locating

Focuses on the natural talent or inclination towards finding something.

talent for identifying

Highlights the natural ability to recognize and pinpoint specific resources.

resources acquisition skill

Inverts the structure emphasizing possession of the competence needed to acquire resources.

sourcing proficiency

Highlights the quality of being skilled in sourcing, commonly used in professional context.

procurement expertise

Focuses on the specialized knowledge and skill in obtaining goods or services.

competence in acquisition

Focuses on a demonstrable and measurable capability in getting something.

facility for obtaining

Highlights the ease and efficiency in getting or securing something.

FAQs

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

You can use "ability to source" to describe someone's skill in finding resources, for instance: "Her ability to source high-quality materials at competitive prices is invaluable."

What's a good alternative to "ability to source"?

Alternatives include "capability to procure", "skill in sourcing", or "capacity to acquire", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "ability to source" or "skill in sourcing"?

Both are correct, but "ability to source" is more general, while "skill in sourcing" emphasizes expertise. Choose based on whether you want to highlight capability or proficiency.

What does "ability to source" mean in a business context?

In business, "ability to source" refers to a company's or individual's competence in finding and securing necessary resources, such as materials, funding, or talent, often at competitive prices.