constant ability

USAGE SUMMARY

"constant ability" is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase in situations when you want to express a person's knack for always performing a certain task consistently. For example, "John has a constant ability to solve complex puzzles quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

On Saturdays, Danny's constant ability to amuse, entertain and surprise will make the perfect start to the weekend.

The Guardian

"Today, opportunity requires the constant ability to learn and relearn, to master new tools and new technologies, to think broadly, to adjust quickly, to put things in context," the president told the 423 graduates in a 27-minute speech.

The New York Times

This measurement model can be extended to investigate development or growth in a constant ability unit.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

The finding shows that the constant ability to regenerate whole limbs is not unique to modern salamanders, contrary to traditional assumptions.

Science Magazine

In addition, lactic acid has a stronger bacteria inhibitory activity compared to the commonly used hydrochloric acid at the same pH value due to its higher acid dissociation constant, ability to modify cell surface properties and to induce cell membrane damage (Wang et al. 2014).

AMB Express

As well as relative levels, some plants exhibit a constant ability to obtain available resources, while others see this ability decline with time.

AoB PLANTS

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Several scientists involved in the project cited improved technology — from increased bandwidth to the ability to provide constant power to instruments at sea by underwater cables or solar or wind power — as critical to making the new program possible.

The New York Times - Science

From my perspective, I was wearing a computer, a tool that gave me the constant, easy ability to access information quickly.

The New York Times - Magazine

3Heckman and Rubinstein (2001) make a similar point in showing that holding constant for ability measured with the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery, having a GED actually is associated with lower earnings relative to high school dropouts.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

The Steelers' defense is one of the league's great constants: their ability to apply pressure from all angles, disguise their coverage and (critically) pursue and corral fast quarterbacks will keep the Broncos' offense in low gear.

The New York Times

The one constant was his ability to outperform the market.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "constant ability" to describe skills or attributes that are consistently demonstrated over time, especially in contexts where reliability is important.

Common error

Avoid using "constant ability" when a more precise descriptor of the skill or attribute would be more informative. For example, instead of "a constant ability to adapt", consider "remarkable adaptability" or "consistently adapting skills".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "constant ability" functions as a noun phrase modifier, where the adjective "constant" describes the quality of the noun "ability". This phrase typically highlights a dependable and persistent attribute, such as in the sentence: "Danny's constant ability to amuse, entertain and surprise will make the perfect start to the weekend."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

66%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "constant ability" is a grammatically correct and useful way to describe a skill or attribute that is consistently displayed over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in science and news media, to highlight the reliability of a specific aptitude. While not extremely common, using precise alternatives like "consistent skill" or "reliable competence" may sometimes be more impactful. Remember to reserve the phrase for situations where the continuous and unbroken nature of the ability is crucial to the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consistent skill

Replaces "ability" with "skill", implying proficiency gained through practice.

steady capability

Substitutes "constant" with "steady", suggesting a reliable but not necessarily continuous attribute.

unwavering talent

Replaces "ability" with "talent" and "constant" with "unwavering", emphasizing innate aptitude and determination.

reliable competence

Substitutes "constant ability" with the more formal "reliable competence", suggesting a dependable level of performance.

enduring capacity

Replaces "constant ability" with "enduring capacity", focusing on the long-lasting nature of the aptitude.

persistent aptitude

Replaces "constant" with "persistent", highlighting the continuous nature of an inherent skill.

sustained proficiency

Replaces "constant ability" with "sustained proficiency", emphasizing maintained expertise over time.

continual effectiveness

Shifts the focus to the result, emphasizing ongoing success rather than inherent capacity.

unchanging aptitude

Substitutes "constant" with "unchanging", stressing the stability of a natural talent.

regular adeptness

Replaces "constant" with "regular" and "ability" with "adeptness", suggesting a consistent knack for something.

FAQs

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

You can use "constant ability" to describe someone's consistent skill or aptitude. For example, "Her /s/steady+ability to remain calm under pressure was invaluable to the team" or "The company's /s/consistent+ability to innovate has kept them ahead of the competition".

What are some alternatives to "constant ability"?

Some alternatives include "consistent skill", "reliable competence", or "unwavering talent". Consider the specific context to choose the most appropriate substitute.

Is "constant ability" the same as "consistent ability"?

While similar, "constant ability" implies an unbroken, continuous display of skill, whereas "consistent ability" suggests a reliable and regular, but not necessarily uninterrupted, performance.

In what contexts is the phrase "constant ability" best suited?

The phrase "constant ability" works well in situations where consistent performance is critical, such as in describing a key employee's unwavering skills or a technological feature's reliable functionality. Otherwise consider using /s/sustained+proficiency.