ability to turn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to turn" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's capacity or skill to change direction, opinion, or approach in various contexts. Example: "Her ability to turn complex problems into simple solutions is impressive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ability to turn problems into logical solutions.

Cornell University

McCourt still has the ability to turn a phrase deftly.

The New York Times - Books

Focusing on the positive will strengthen your ability to turn your attention away from worries.

Harvard University

That's why Europe is so concerned about Russia's ability to turn off the taps.

Columbia University

The ability to turn on a tap and bring the whole world fresh running water.

The Guardian - Music

"Now," he said, "I have the ability to turn a cold stranger into a friend".

The New York Times

You have to admire the Vietnamese ability to turn unappetising parts of animals into delicacies.

The Guardian - Travel

He has an enviable ability to turn the mood around in short order.

The Guardian - Music

She develops the ability to turn anything into a jibe at the poor.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Polls show that consumers are sceptical about Abe's ability to turn the economy around.

The Guardian

"I've noticed a marked difference in my ability to turn people into Jell-O".

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In persuasive writing, highlighting someone's "ability to turn" a situation around can be a powerful way to demonstrate leadership.

Common error

Avoid using "ability to turn" when the focus is on external forces. Instead of "The economy has the ability to turn around", try "The government can turn the economy around" for a more direct and active voice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to turn" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the capacity or power to transform, redirect, or convert something. As Ludwig AI shows, it is commonly used across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ability to turn" is a versatile and commonly used expression that denotes the capacity to transform or redirect something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently appears in news, academic, and professional contexts. To enhance clarity in your writing, focus on using "ability to turn" in active voice and consider context-specific alternatives like "capacity to transform" or "skill to convert" for nuanced expression. Understanding these nuances will help you leverage the full potential of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capacity to transform

Emphasizes the potential to fundamentally alter something's form or nature.

skill to convert

Highlights the expertise in changing something from one state to another.

talent for redirection

Focuses on the natural aptitude for changing the course or direction of something.

knack for adaptation

Implies an inherent ability to adjust or modify something to suit new conditions.

potential to invert

Suggests the capability to reverse or turn something upside down.

power to reverse

Highlights the authority to undo or revert something to its previous state.

facility to morph

Indicates an ease and fluency in changing shape or form.

capability to alter

Stresses the general ability to change or modify something.

competence in transmuting

Highlights the proficiency in changing something's nature or substance.

adeptness at switching

Emphasizes the skill and dexterity in quickly changing between different states or options.

FAQs

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

You can use "ability to turn" to describe someone's capacity to change a situation or transform something. For example, "She has the "ability to turn" problems into opportunities".

What are some alternatives to "ability to turn"?

Alternatives include "capacity to transform", "skill to convert", or "talent for redirection" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "ability of turning" instead of "ability to turn"?

While "ability of turning" might be grammatically understandable, ""ability to turn"" is the more common and natural phrasing in English.

What's the difference between "ability to turn" and "ability to change"?

"Ability to turn" often implies a more specific action of transforming something, while "ability to change" is a more general term for altering or modifying.