displayed an ability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "displayed an ability" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone's skill or talent in a particular area or task. Example: "During the presentation, she displayed an ability to engage the audience effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The court had heard Spackman had displayed "an ability to conduct complicated deceptions within a police environment".

The Guardian

Even during recent periods of ill health, he displayed an ability to accept life at whatever cost, finding joy at museums and concerts and in communication with his devoted friends, both nearby and around the world.

The New York Times

The scFvs displayed an ability to form higher molecular aggregates in vivo.

Nuclear Medicine and Biology

Allied to his determination, Dunlop has displayed an ability to up the pace just when he needs that vital edge over his rivals.

BBC

Significantly, the COP marker also displayed an ability to stratify according to outcomes: asystole, ventricular fibrillation (VF), pulseless electrical activity (PEA), normal sinus rhythm (NSR).

Resuscitation

Both of these latter species displayed an ability to digest and absorb the labeled protein.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

But juries routinely display an ability to thread needles in intriguing ways.

The New York Times

And for the first time in the series, Luna Rossa was displaying an ability to mix it up.

The New York Times - Sports

But some Republican politicians display an ability to absorb the heat and reflect it back in more politically promising directions.

The New York Times

In these scenes Mr. Woo displays an ability to startle without resorting to the bad-taste horror-movie shock employed in "Private Ryan".

The New York Times

But, as on Moon Song, Karen O displays an ability to articulate raw emotion here, be it on the subject of love, loneliness or strength of will.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "displayed an ability" when you want to highlight a specific instance where someone or something showed a particular skill or capability. It's useful for emphasizing a demonstrated attribute.

Common error

While "displayed an ability" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise verbs like "demonstrated", "exhibited", or "manifested" for greater impact and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "displayed an ability" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun phrase, acting as the predicate of a sentence. According to Ludwig, it indicates the action of showing or demonstrating a particular skill or competence. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

50%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "displayed an ability" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to denote the demonstration of a skill or capability. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While relatively uncommon, it appears across various contexts, primarily in science and news media. For more formal settings, alternatives like "demonstrated competence" might be preferred. The phrase is suitable for highlighting specific instances of skill, but overuse should be avoided for stylistic reasons.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

showed a capacity

Replaces "ability" with "capacity", implying a potential to perform, rather than a demonstrated skill.

demonstrated competence

Substitutes "ability" with "competence", suggesting a proven level of skill or knowledge.

exhibited proficiency

Replaces "displayed an ability" with a more formal term, suggesting a high level of skill.

manifested a talent

Uses "manifested" instead of "displayed", implying that the talent became apparent.

proved capable

Focuses on the outcome of demonstrating ability, highlighting the capability.

revealed skill

Highlights the act of uncovering a skill that was previously unknown.

unveiled aptitude

A more formal way of saying a natural ability was shown.

presented adeptness

Suggests skillfulness in a particular area was shown.

performed skillfully

Shifts the focus to the skillful execution of a task.

acted competently

Highlights behavior demonstrating the capability to act effectively.

FAQs

What does "displayed an ability" mean?

The phrase "displayed an ability" means to show or demonstrate a particular skill or capability. It suggests that someone or something has revealed a talent or competence in a specific area.

What can I say instead of "displayed an ability"?

You can use alternatives like "showed a capacity", "demonstrated competence", or "exhibited proficiency" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "displayed an ability" or "demonstrated an ability"?

"Demonstrated an ability" is often considered more formal and precise. Both are grammatically correct, but "demonstrated" may be preferred in academic or professional settings. Using "demonstrated an ability" adds a level of authority.

How can I use "displayed an ability" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a person's skill, such as "The athlete displayed an ability to perform under pressure". It can also describe an object or system, such as "The new software displayed an ability to process data efficiently".