born able

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "born able" is not a standard expression in written English and may be confusing without context.
It could be used in discussions about innate abilities or talents, but it is not commonly recognized. Example: "Some people seem to be born able to excel in sports, while others may need to work harder to achieve the same level of skill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Humans learn; no one is born able to recognize Bob's voice.

The New York Times - Science

Babies are born able to distinguish between humans and objects, and thus able to form a bond with a mothering figure.

The Guardian - Books

Humans, he thought, were not alone in opening their mouths when listening, pursing their lips when concentrating or touching faces with loved ones.Darwin also believed babies are born able to recognise the facial expressions of others.

The Economist

At this point one might naturally wonder if in our future some "horizon of meaning", some "all-place", might be born, able to emerge as a place of condensation of our innermost folds.

City, Territory and Architecture

But then, if she can, I'm sure Boobiac would have her girl fetus given silicone implants in utero, so it would be born able to nurse itself.

Huffington Post

And healthy babies are born able to do the splits, because they haven't developed a blueprint for ranges of motion that feel unsafe, Mitchell said.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Finally, this model shows that the share of foreign born is able to predict variance in migrant protest across countries and that part of the positive trend in migrant protest has not been explained by our independent variables.

Comparative Migration Studies

No gay person is guilty of 'gross indecency,' but gay men have been persecuted and hunted down and given criminal convictions just for being born only able to fall in love with another man".

Vice

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Vice

The result of this is that my shelter soon became full of depressed pregnant women and the worst thing is that they still have to work all day, rather than stick their feet up and pick out colours for the nursery (also, there is no nursery; kids are born already able to walk and just stroll around your shelter watching you labour all day, the workshy little chump-nuggets).

Vice

Could we one day be a species that sees itself as born "not fully able-bodied," or even technically disabled before modern technology has had a chance to radically transform us?

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "born able", ensure the context clearly indicates an innate ability or potential from birth. Consider whether a more common phrase like "naturally gifted" might be clearer for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "born able" in highly formal or academic writing, as it can sound informal. Opt for more precise and widely accepted terms like "innately capable" or "naturally skilled".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "born able" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating an inherent capacity or skill from birth. Examples from Ludwig suggest it's often used to describe innate talents or predispositions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "born able" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase that describes an innate ability or skill present from birth. Ludwig indicates that, while grammatically sound, this phrase is not as common as alternatives like "naturally gifted" or "innately capable". It appears mostly in News & Media and Scientific contexts. While usable, careful consideration should be given to audience and context, opting for clearer alternatives in formal settings to avoid potential ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

born with a gift for

Specifically mentions having a gift or talent from birth.

talented from birth

Directly connects talent with the time of birth.

naturally gifted

Emphasizes inherent talent rather than a state of being "able" from birth.

innately capable

Highlights the inherent capacity to perform or achieve.

has a natural aptitude

Focuses on a person's inherent potential to learn and excel.

inherently skilled

Focuses on the inherent skill set a person possesses.

naturally adept

Highlights a person's innate proficiency and skill.

predisposed to

Suggests a natural inclination or tendency towards something.

endowed with

Highlights the idea of being given a natural gift or ability.

comes naturally

Implies ease and naturalness in performing a specific task.

FAQs

What does "born able" mean?

The phrase "born able" refers to the concept of possessing a particular skill, talent, or capability from birth, rather than acquiring it through learning or experience. It suggests an innate predisposition toward a specific attribute.

What are some alternatives to saying "born able"?

You can use alternatives like "naturally gifted", "innately capable", or "talented from birth" to express the same idea with potentially greater clarity and impact.

Is "born able" grammatically correct?

Yes, "born able" is grammatically correct, functioning as an adjective phrase. However, its relative infrequency means it may not be as readily understood as more common alternatives.

In what contexts is "born able" most appropriately used?

The phrase "born able" can be used in various contexts, but it is most appropriate when emphasizing that a particular skill or characteristic is present from birth. For broader contexts, phrases such as "naturally adept" might be more suitable.