collective ability

USAGE SUMMARY

"collective ability" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to the combined or shared skills and talents of a group or team. Example: The team's collective ability to problem-solve and communicate effectively allowed them to complete the project ahead of schedule.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Barça's strike was one of collective ability.

The New York Times - Sports

A solution of avoidance on this issue will erode our collective ability to cooperate on anything.

The Guardian - Opinion

How long before the mental strain gives in to Barcelona's collective ability?

The New York Times - Sports

This game emphasises human ingenuity: our collective ability to figure things out from what's around us.

The Guardian - Games

Similarly, I believe in our collective ability to live together in a society that is socially, culturally, and religiously cosmopolitan.

The Guardian - Opinion

And our collective ability to map terrorist networks across Europe and bring those responsible to justice would be reduced.

The Guardian

Instead, the web of relationships within any living community determines its collective ability to survive and thrive.

University of California, Berkeley

Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, humanity's collective ability to change the world has been powered by fossil fuels and multiplied by machines.

The New York Times - Science

Refusing to do the same in economics is restricting our collective ability to build healthy and prosperous societies and we are all poorer for it.

The Guardian - Business

It is partly because a fundamental misunderstanding among the public – and the scientific community – has interfered with our collective ability to curb this epidemic.

The Guardian - Opinion

The problem with this kind of wishful thinking is that it relies on the writers' collective ability to create the fictional audience.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "collective ability" to emphasize the combined capabilities of a group, especially when the outcome depends on teamwork and shared skills.

Common error

Avoid using "collective ability" when referring to an individual's skill; instead, use terms like "individual skill" or "personal capability".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "collective ability" is to describe the combined capabilities of a group, indicating their overall capacity to perform or achieve something. Ludwig shows various examples from team sports to social issues.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

25%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "collective ability" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that refers to the combined skills and capabilities of a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely accepted and applicable across various contexts, including news, science, academia, and business. The phrase emphasizes the power and potential derived from teamwork and shared skills. To ensure correct usage, remember that "collective ability" should only be used when referring to groups, not individuals.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

team capability

Highlights the capacity of a team to perform effectively.

group competence

Emphasizes the combined proficiency and skill of a group.

shared capacity

Focuses on the jointly held potential or resources.

combined strengths

Stresses the positive attributes and skills that a group brings together.

joint aptitude

Implies a natural talent or inclination shared among members.

aggregate skill

Highlights the total skill level when individuals' skills are added together.

communal expertise

Focuses on specialized knowledge possessed collectively.

synergistic talent

Emphasizes the enhanced effect of combined talents.

collaborative potential

Highlights the possible future achievements of a group working together.

united capacity

Stresses the unified and coordinated ability.

FAQs

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

"Collective ability" describes the combined skills or capabilities of a group. For example, "The team's collective ability to innovate led to groundbreaking results."

What are some alternatives to "collective ability"?

You can use alternatives like "group competence", "team capability", or "shared capacity" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the collective ability of an individual"?

No, "collective ability" refers to a group. For an individual, use terms like "individual skill" or "personal capability".

What is the difference between "collective ability" and "leadership ability"?

"Collective ability" refers to the combined skills of a group, while "leadership ability" refers to the skills and qualities that enable a person to guide and influence others.