breadth of ability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "breadth of ability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the range or extent of someone's skills or talents. Example: "Her breadth of ability in various subjects made her a valuable asset to the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Nobody wants a science nerd for a doctor, so breadth of ability, interests and a decent dollop of empathy are now required, as well as top marks in your A-levels.

The Guardian

It also gives them the breadth of ability to run that service how they need to.

Forbes

With its breadth of ability to be a perfect road cruiser and race track contender, the Bruce McLaren spirit is clearly alive here.

Forbes

"It's really about giving people that breadth of ability," says Lozano, discussing the sensor-based skills he wants the product to foster.

TechCrunch

She said her strong points were that she could play everything "from the ingenue to the villainess without complaining or screwing up". That breadth of ability found her playing everything on the radio from Margaret Anderson, the mother in the family program "Father Knows Best," to one of the many girlfriends of the character Andy on "Amos and Andy". "Radio was a notoriously anonymous profession.

Los Angeles Times

Breadth of ability.

Bplans

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It's not just that the 5 Series is cheaper despite more goodies; its phenomenal breadth of abilities mated to perfectly judged blend of ride and dynamism has it just about nudging ahead.

Forbes

The temporal items assess a narrower breadth of abilities at a relatively modest degree of impairment and therefore would be best suited to identifying change within this range of cognition.

BMC Psychiatry

The result of the supermarket chain's virtually unparalleled breadth of positives Wegmans' ability to offer quality, quantity, consistency, price point, and experience, and all at a place where workers are visibly happy is that those who know it know that it is indeed unique.

The Washington Post

The breadth of his ability, on stage and screen, in comedy and drama and, latterly, as a writer, was matched by the depth of his commitment to his work.

BBC

As major contributors to ocean productivity and carbon cycling, diatoms may play a critical role in the changing ecosystems of the future ocean, and thus understanding the breadth of their ability to sense and respond to environmental changes may be crucial to predicting their future success.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When highlighting someone's potential, use "breadth of ability" to emphasize versatility and adaptability across various tasks. For example, "The candidate's "breadth of ability" makes them suitable for diverse roles within the company."

Common error

Avoid overusing "breadth of ability" when specific expertise is more relevant. For example, don't say "The surgeon's "breadth of ability" is impressive" when their specialized surgical skills are the key factor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "breadth of ability" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes the extent and variety of someone's skills or capabilities. Ludwig's examples show it often modifies a person or entity, highlighting their comprehensive skill set.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "breadth of ability" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon way to describe the wide range of skills and capabilities someone possesses. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is generally used correctly across various domains, including news, science, and academia. When writing, consider its formal tone and use it to emphasize versatility and adaptability. Be mindful not to overuse it in contexts where specific expertise is more relevant. Alternative phrases like "range of skills" or "variety of talents" might be more appropriate depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

range of skills

Focuses more on specific skills rather than overall capability.

variety of talents

Emphasizes natural aptitude rather than learned skills.

scope of competence

Highlights the areas in which someone is qualified.

extent of capabilities

More formal and emphasizes the limit of what someone can do.

diversity of expertise

Suggests a wide array of specialized knowledge.

multitude of strengths

Highlights positive attributes and capabilities.

array of proficiencies

Implies a structured and organized set of skills.

wide spectrum of skills

Uses 'spectrum' to represent the comprehensive nature of abilities.

versatility in skills

Highlights the adaptability and varied nature of skills.

all-around capabilities

Informal way to describe the various different abilities someone possesses.

FAQs

How can I use "breadth of ability" in a sentence?

You can use "breadth of ability" to describe someone's wide range of skills or capabilities. For instance, "Her "breadth of ability" allowed her to excel in various projects."

What are some alternatives to "breadth of ability"?

Alternatives include "range of skills", "variety of talents", or "scope of competence", depending on the specific context.

What does "breadth of ability" mean?

The term "breadth of ability" refers to the wide range of skills, knowledge, or talents that a person possesses, indicating versatility and adaptability.

Is it better to have "breadth of ability" or depth of expertise?

It depends on the situation. "Breadth of ability" is valuable in roles requiring versatility, while depth of expertise is crucial in specialized fields.