ability with which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability with which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the capacity or skill someone has in performing a specific action or task. Example: "Her ability with which she navigates complex problems is truly impressive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

A new section of the map often requires a freshly learned ability with which to successfully navigate it.

The Guardian - Tech

But the award mainly reflects the eloquence and ability with which he has represented a part of society that is in need of cogent representation.

The Guardian

It stemmed from the Rovers keeper Neil Sullivan's mistake in hitting a clearance straight to him, although Bell did deserve a lot of credit for his awareness and shooting ability with which he made Sullivan pay.

The Guardian - Sport

At the end of this analysis - self-analysis might be a better word - there is a characteristic meditation on Conrad's 'myth' in which he observes that the novelist's purpose is 'to awaken the sense of wonder', an ability with which he has always been lavishly endowed.

The Guardian - Books

These include the language ability (with which music overlaps in several ways); the auditory cortex; the system that responds to the emotional signals in a human voice crying or cooing; and the motor control system that injects rhythm into the muscles when walking or dancing.

The New York Times - Science

Mating systems are shaped largely by the spatio-temporal predictability of reproductively capable females and the ability with which one sex (often males) can monopolise the other (typically females) either directly (for instance in terms of forming harems) or indirectly, by monopolising access to key resources (including sperm: Emlen & Oring, 1977).

Biological Reviews

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Swiping the rear touchpad shifts the nature of the world, presenting colour-coded environments and abilities with which to solve puzzles.

The Guardian - Tech

Interestingly Rihoy et al. still view the CAMPFIRE programme as having successfully empowered local Zimbabweans with knowledge, incentives and organizational abilities with which to identify their problems and puzzle out solutions.

Human Ecology

So they found that the assessors' judgements of writing performance were highly internally consistent and highly reliable, considering that initially the teachers were concerned about making judgements across ability ranges with which they were not familiar.

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

One of the most critical components affecting crop yield is the amount of solar radiation available to the plant, and the ability and efficiency with which biomass is produced (Russell et al. 1989; Murchie et al. 2009; Zhu et al. 2010).

Rice

Within the Tower House Burges placed some of his finest metalwork; the artist Henry Stacy Marks wrote "he could design a chalice as well as a cathedral ... His decanters, cups, jugs, forks and spoons were designed with an equal ability to that with which he would design a castle".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "ability with which", ensure that the context clearly defines the specific skill or capability being referenced. For example, specify "the ability with which she manages projects" rather than just "her ability".

Common error

Avoid turning verbs into nouns unnecessarily. Instead of saying "the ability with which he communicated", consider using a more direct verb-based construction such as "how well he communicated".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability with which" functions as an adjectival modifier, specifying the manner or degree of skill or competence in relation to a particular action or situation. Ludwig shows many examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ability with which" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe someone's capacity or skill in a specific action. Ludwig confirms its correctness and offers examples from diverse sources, including News & Media, Science and Wiki. While not exceptionally common, it appears in a variety of contexts, typically maintaining a neutral to formal tone. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "skill with which" or "competence with which", adjusting based on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skill with which

Replaces "ability" with "skill", emphasizing proficiency.

talent with which

Substitutes "ability" with "talent", highlighting natural aptitude.

competence with which

Uses "competence" instead of "ability", focusing on demonstrated capability.

adeptness with which

Replaces "ability" with "adeptness", suggesting skillful proficiency.

expertise with which

Substitutes "ability" with "expertise", emphasizing specialized knowledge or skill.

capacity with which

Uses "capacity" instead of "ability", focusing on potential or inherent capability.

facility with which

Replaces "ability" with "facility", highlighting ease and fluency.

proficiency with which

Substitutes "ability" with "proficiency", emphasizing competence in a specific area.

the manner in which they are able

A more verbose construction that breaks down the phrase into its components.

the way in which they demonstrate competence

Replaces "ability" with "demonstrate competence", highlighting the behavior instead of inherent skills.

FAQs

How can I use "ability with which" in a sentence?

Use "ability with which" to describe someone's skill or capacity in performing a task. For instance, "Her "ability with which" she handles pressure is remarkable."

What are some alternatives to "ability with which"?

Alternatives include "skill with which", "talent with which", or "competence with which". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "ability with which" formal or informal?

The phrase "ability with which" is relatively formal. In more informal contexts, consider using simpler alternatives like "how well someone does something".

What's the difference between "ability with which" and "skill with which"?

While similar, "ability" refers to a general capacity, whereas "skill" implies proficiency developed through practice. Use ""skill with which"" when highlighting expertise.