broad ability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "broad ability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a wide range of skills or competencies that a person possesses. Example: "Her broad ability to adapt to different situations makes her an invaluable team member."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Assume that it has a broad ability to consider problems and that it has access to the Internet.

The New Yorker

Because of the broad ability of mining companies to make claims, Mr. Squillace added, "without the time out, the choice is essentially made".

The New York Times

In a famous exchange from the original oral argument, Malcolm Stewart, a Deputy Solicitor General, claimed that Congress has a broad ability to regulate corporate communication as part of its role in overseeing elections.

The New Yorker

He said that both sides had agreed to house a new consumer financial protection agency within the Federal Reserve, with a director appointed by the president and broad ability to write rules governing mortgages, credit cards and the so-called shadow banking system of payday lenders, debt collectors, and loan originators and servicers.

The New York Times

Individual differences in the broad ability dimension General fluid intelligence (Gf) are typically assessed with visuospatial problem solving tasks, and particularly so among young children.

Intelligence

"A major problem" with almost all cognitive training studies is that researchers only measure improvement in skills such as memory based on an individual task, rather than a range of tasks that represent a broad ability, Lindenberger says.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The system's broad abilities could scan private information about legal activities and collect information on people who are not suspects, the critics say.

The New York Times

Colleges no longer have broad abilities to delay their own investigation into an assault until the conclusion of a criminal trial, as Penn State did.

The Guardian

According to Carroll, the middle stratum encompassed broad abilities (approximately 10) such as learning, retrieval ability, speediness, visual perception, fluid intelligence, and the production of ideas.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A statistical measure of how those improvements correlated to one another suggested, Lindenberger concluded, systematic improvements "at the level of broad abilities".

The New York Times - Magazine

The transcriptional complexity of mammalian cells suggests that they have broad abilities to respond to specific environmental stimuli and physiologic contexts.

BMC Medical Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's skills, use "broad ability" to highlight their competence in various areas. For instance, "Her broad ability to adapt makes her an invaluable asset."

Common error

Avoid using "broad ability" as a vague compliment without specifying the actual skills. Instead of saying "He has a broad ability", specify areas, like "He has a broad ability in data analysis and project management."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broad ability" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "broad" modifies the noun "ability". Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's typically used to describe someone's capacity or competence across a range of skills or areas.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

1%

Science & Research

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "broad ability" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for describing someone's competence across multiple areas, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While not exceedingly common, it appears in diverse contexts, from scientific literature to news articles. Key considerations include specifying the domains of ability, avoiding redundancy, and choosing semantically similar alternatives like ""wide-ranging capability"" or ""extensive competence"" based on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broad competence

Replaces "ability" with a synonym, maintaining a very close meaning.

wide-ranging capability

Emphasizes the extensive scope of skills or capabilities.

extensive competence

Highlights a high degree of proficiency across a wide area.

general aptitude

Focuses on a natural inclination or talent for a variety of tasks.

versatile skill set

Stresses the adaptability and range of skills.

comprehensive expertise

Highlights a deep and broad knowledge base.

diverse skillset

Emphasizes the variety and breadth of skills possessed.

all-around competence

Implies a well-rounded ability in multiple areas.

global proficiency

Suggests a high level of skill across many domains.

generalized capacity

Focuses on the overall potential and capability.

FAQs

How can I use "broad ability" in a sentence?

You can use "broad ability" to describe someone's competence in various areas. For example: "The company values employees with a "broad ability" to handle different tasks."

What are some alternatives to "broad ability"?

Some alternatives to "broad ability" include "wide-ranging capability", "extensive competence", and "general aptitude". Choose the alternative that best fits the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "broad general ability"?

Yes, saying "broad general ability" can be redundant. The word "broad" already implies a general scope, so using "general" in conjunction may not be necessary. It's better to stick with just ""broad ability"" for conciseness.

What is the difference between "broad ability" and "specific skill"?

"Broad ability" refers to competence across multiple areas, while "specific skill" refers to expertise in one particular area. Someone might have a ""broad ability"" in communication, which includes specific skills like writing and public speaking.