able to harness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "able to harness" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use the phrase to describe a person or group's capabilities or potential, as in the following example: "The new recruits are highly motivated and able to harness their skills to achieve great results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You have got to be able to harness talent.

The Guardian - Arts

Until now we have not been able to harness it.

The New York Times

Will the White House be able to harness the populist anger to bring about tax reform?

The New York Times

Imagine a phone or building or car being able to harness energy through its glass.

The Guardian

"The question is, will the Thai state be able to harness this negative energy to something positive".

The New York Times

In due course, games developers will be able to harness Metal to offer graphically enhanced games on the Mac.

Independent

Mr. Steiger predicted Mr. Pearlstine would be able to "harness" some of the journalistic talent at Bloomberg.

The New York Times

Thompson hopes that, under Smith's leadership, the players will be able to "harness their grief, close ranks, and come together".

The Guardian - Sport

"England used reverse swing very well and it just shows the importance of being able to harness that skill.

The Guardian - Sport

We will not address malnutrition unless we are able to harness the creative power of the private sector.

The Guardian

It was reasonable to think that a vaccine might be able to harness the body's ability to defend itself.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "able to harness", ensure the subject clearly possesses the necessary skills, resources, or authority to effectively utilize the object being harnessed. For example, "The team is able to harness the power of AI to improve efficiency".

Common error

Avoid using "able to harness" when the subject lacks the actual means or capacity to do so. For example, saying "The company is able to harness solar energy" when they have no solar panels or related infrastructure is incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "able to harness" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe its capacity or capability to utilize something effectively. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "able to harness" is a versatile phrase used to describe the capacity or capability to effectively utilize something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and sees wide usage across diverse contexts, from news and media to academia and science. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure that the subject genuinely possesses the skills or resources necessary to utilize what is being harnessed. Alternatives such as "capable of utilizing", "in a position to leverage", and "has the capacity to exploit" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of utilizing

Focuses on inherent capability rather than the act of harnessing.

in a state to harness

Focuses on the readiness or preparedness to utilize something.

in a position to leverage

Emphasizes using something to gain an advantage.

empowered to capitalize on

Emphasizes having the authority or power to benefit from something.

has the capacity to exploit

Highlights the potential to use something, sometimes with a connotation of taking advantage.

competent to direct

Focuses on the skill to guide or control something.

equipped to channel

Suggests directing or focusing something toward a specific purpose.

fit to employ

Indicates suitability for using something.

qualified to exploit

Indicates having the necessary qualifications to utilize something effectively, sometimes implies making the most of something.

prepared to mobilize

Focuses on readiness to activate or deploy something.

FAQs

How can I use "able to harness" in a sentence?

Use "able to harness" to describe someone or something's capacity to utilize resources, skills, or opportunities effectively. For example, "The new software is "able to harness" the power of cloud computing".

What are some alternatives to "able to harness"?

You can use alternatives like "capable of utilizing", "in a position to leverage", or "has the capacity to exploit" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "ability to harness" instead of "able to harness"?

"Ability to harness" refers to a general capacity, while "able to harness" describes a specific instance or current capability. Both are correct, but they have different meanings. For example, "The country's "ability to harness" renewable energy is growing" vs "The new technology is "able to harness" solar power effectively".

What's the difference between "able to harness" and "used to harness"?

"Able to harness" refers to a current capability, while "used to harness" indicates a past or habitual action. For example, "The engine is "able to harness" more power" versus "The farmers "used to harness" horses for plowing".