common abilities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "common abilities" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to skills or talents that are shared by a group of people or are generally found among individuals in a particular context. Example: "In the workplace, teamwork and communication are common abilities that contribute to a successful project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Idealism and faith in our common abilities, after all, are what built the United States into a great nation.

Huffington Post

It is important to emphasise that conclusions regarding generalist genes apply to common abilities and disabilities whose origins involve multiple genes and multiple environmental influences, not to rare single-gene disorders such as Phenylketonuria or chromosomal disorders such as Down syndrome.

Current Directions in Psychological Science

Thus, to have a balanced design, the analysis for Year 1 was conducted using a reduced form, that is using only the three common abilities in the eight units since systematic missing data cannot be legitimately incorporated in the model proposed.

BMC Medical Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

-Why might it be important or interesting to believe that all human beings share a common ability to understand the world that goes beyond language?

The New York Times

Further Questions for Discussion: -To what degree, if at all, do you believe that all human beings share a common ability to communicate without language?

The New York Times

While each have different approaches to negotiations, both share a common ability to drive hard bargains and engage in tough negotiation strategies.

Harvard University

Similar to reported activities of noggin and follistatin, Xenopus hedgehogs share a common ability to induce cement glands in animal cap explants.

Stanford University

We have proposed that rather than being static pore formers, AMPs share a common ability to lower interfacial tensions that promote membrane transformations.

Biophysical Journal

He and his colleagues wrote that the common ability to learn rules about numbers is an example either of different groups — birds and primates, in this case — evolving these abilities separately, or of both pigeons and primates using an ability that was already present in their last common ancestor.

The New York Times - Science

There will also be columns from Specials founder Jerry Dammers on Sun Ra, Simon Reynolds on Scritti Politti, Throbbing Gristle' Genesis Breyer P-Orridge on psychedelic artists Hapshash And The Coloured Coat and comedian Stewart Lee on "the common ability of great humour and great music to surprise".

The Guardian - Music

Sensitization of bacteria by these compounds is believed to be a result of their common ability to bind sulphydryl groups within the bacterial cell which can function either as natural radioprotective agents by radical scavenging or as repair agents for DNA radicals formed by hydrogen abstraction4 6.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing teamwork or collaborative efforts, use "common abilities" to highlight shared skills that contribute to success. For instance, "Team members leveraged their common abilities in problem-solving to overcome challenges".

Common error

Avoid using "common abilities" in highly technical or specialized fields where specific expertise is more relevant. Instead, opt for phrases like "specialized skills" or "technical expertise" to accurately describe the required capabilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "common abilities" functions as a noun phrase, where "common" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "abilities". Ludwig shows examples from news, science and academic sources. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "common abilities" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe shared skills or talents within a group or context. Ludwig's analysis shows its prevalence in academic, scientific, and news media, suggesting a formal to neutral register. The phrase effectively conveys the idea of general competencies, and it's crucial to use it appropriately, avoiding overuse in highly specialized fields. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable in written English. Alternatives such as "shared skills" or "general competencies" can be employed for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shared skills

Focuses specifically on skills that are possessed by multiple individuals or groups.

general competencies

Highlights broad capabilities that are typically expected or found in a particular setting.

collective capabilities

Emphasizes the combined abilities of a group or team.

universal talents

Suggests talents that are present in everyone, or almost everyone.

typical aptitudes

Refers to the usual or expected aptitudes found in a specific context.

standard proficiencies

Highlights proficiencies that meet a certain standard or requirement.

widespread talents

Emphasizes that talents are distributed broadly across a population.

general attributes

Focuses on more general qualities or characteristics that enable certain actions.

ordinary skills

Refers to skills that are not exceptional but rather typical or expected.

prevalent capabilities

Highlights capabilities that are commonly found or observed.

FAQs

How can I use "common abilities" in a sentence?

You can use "common abilities" to refer to skills or talents that are shared among a group of people. For example, "Effective communication is one of the "shared skills" necessary for successful teamwork".

What are some alternatives to using "common abilities"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "shared skills", "general competencies", or "collective capabilities".

Is it better to say "common abilities" or "shared abilities"?

Both "common abilities" and "shared abilities" are acceptable, but "shared abilities" might more directly emphasize that the abilities are distributed among multiple individuals. "Common abilities" is broader, referring to abilities generally present.

What is the difference between "common abilities" and "basic skills"?

"Basic skills" typically refer to foundational skills necessary for everyday tasks, such as reading and writing. "Common abilities" /s/general+competencies can encompass a broader range of skills that are generally prevalent or useful in a specific context, not just foundational ones.