core ability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "core ability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a fundamental skill or competency that is essential for a particular role or task. Example: "Communication is a core ability that every leader should possess to effectively manage their team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"The characteristics of trading these types of products and betting on interest rates, which is a core ability of UBS, are similar," he said.

The New York Times

The new core ability here – equivalent to Ocarina of Time's temporal shifting or Wind Waker's control of gales – is turning 2D, walking against walls or through cracks.

The Guardian - Tech

To develop and test a method to measure core ability in healthy athletes with 2-dimensional video analysis software (SiliconCOACH).

PM&R

At the same time, Europe's austere economic outlook is leading to a "further weakening of the core ability to defend ourselves," said Norwegian Defense Minister Espen Barth Eide.

The Washington Post

Your Core Ability is used to connect to the client's Need, because you have something special that solves your client's needs.

Harvard Business Review

Key to winning was applying the core ability of McCann — an intense and renowned competitive spirit, and a philosophy that every competitor's vulnerability can be found.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

According to Treyarch there are around 40 "cyber core" abilities, like drone hacking for example, that players earn as they go and can use when they like.

The Guardian - Tech

Some of them are core abilities, i.e., they function at birth or very early in development.

Advances in Child Development and Behavior

Players can create their own spells if they have a high enough Lore skill and the right components allowing for a variety of spells which may use the same core abilities but work in very different ways.

The Guardian - Tech

Aaron he will not be, but precisely what made Aaron such a special player is that he sustained his core abilities past a point when nearly every other players' decline.

The New York Times - Sports

But many analysts say that, more recently, their strong personalities and tight control over RIM has caused them not to seriously consider advice about areas outside their core abilities or acknowledge that their plans may have had flaws.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a job requirement or a person's attribute, use "core ability" to emphasize that it's a fundamental and essential skill for success. For example, "Problem-solving is a "core ability" for this role".

Common error

Avoid using "core ability" excessively in professional settings, especially in contexts where a simpler term like "skill" or "strength" would suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound cliché and insincere. Instead, vary your language to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "core ability" functions as a noun phrase, where "core" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "ability". It denotes a fundamental or essential skill. Ludwig examples show it is used across various fields to emphasize critical capabilities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "core ability" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that refers to a fundamental or essential skill. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is more common in news, science, and formal business contexts. When writing, be mindful of overuse, and consider alternatives like "essential skill" or "fundamental capability" to maintain clarity and impact. The phrase effectively highlights the importance of specific capabilities and can be used in both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essential skill

Replaces "ability" with "skill", emphasizing a learned proficiency that is crucial.

fundamental capability

Substitutes both words for synonyms highlighting the basic nature of the competence.

key competence

Uses "competence" instead of "ability", stressing demonstrated proficiency.

basic aptitude

Replaces "ability" with "aptitude", which suggests a natural talent or capacity.

primary strength

Focuses on the "ability" as a source of power or effectiveness.

central skill

Highlights the importance of "skill" being a main one.

foundational skill

Emphasizes that this skill is the base for other ones.

main competence

It replaces "ability" with a demostration of competence

innate talent

It focuses more into a person's natural aptitudes.

inherent capacity

It replaces both words to inherent and capacity.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "core ability" in a sentence?

Use "core ability" to highlight a fundamental and indispensable skill or capability. For instance, "Effective communication is a "core ability" for any leader".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "core ability"?

Alternatives include "essential skill", "fundamental capability", or "key competence", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "core ability" a formal or informal phrase?

"Core ability" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, consider using a more precise term like "foundational skill" or "inherent capacity".

How does "core ability" differ from a general skill?

"Core ability" implies a foundational, essential skill crucial for success in a particular role or task, whereas a general skill might be useful but not necessarily critical. For example, technical knowledge may be a general skill, but problem-solving is often a "core ability".