displays an ability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "displays an ability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone's skill or talent in a particular area or task. Example: "The student displays an ability to solve complex mathematical problems with ease."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

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

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

A major work that displays an ability to channel an initial burst of energy into a large-scale musical event, built with masterful control and consistently intriguing to the ear.

The New York Times

Chandor, who demonstrated a vivid talent for dialogue, mood, and characterization in the Wall Street meltdown movie "Margin Call" (2011), here displays an ability to furiously carve up and then integrate a confined space.

The New Yorker

Both TLRs and NLRs can induce autophagy through the activation of Beclin 1. NLRP4, on the other hand, displays an ability to inhibit autophagy [ 46].

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

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

The Guardian

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

After displaying an ability to leap in headfirst and slash green-blooded monsters, Garin lends his support to deputy Commander Lin (played by a wooden Jing Tian), while a baffled Tovar plans his escape with the Order's gunpowder.

The Guardian - Film

They did display an ability to distribute the ball to the three players who figure to provide the bulk of the Nets' offense until Kidd returns: Richard Jefferson and two newcomers, shooting guards Ron Mercer and Rodney Buford.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "displays an ability" when you want to highlight a demonstrated skill or talent, supported by evidence. For example, instead of saying someone 'is good at coding', say 'the candidate "displays an ability" to write efficient code, as seen in their project portfolio'.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "displays an ability" can sound stilted in formal writing. Opt for stronger verbs like 'demonstrates' or more direct phrasing to enhance clarity and impact. For example, use 'demonstrates skill' instead of "displays an ability".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "displays an ability" functions as a verb phrase, where "displays" is the verb indicating the action of showing or exhibiting, and "an ability" is a noun phrase acting as the object, specifying what is being shown. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "displays an ability" is a grammatically sound way to describe a demonstrated skill or talent. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While versatile, it's beneficial to consider context and choose alternatives like "demonstrates a talent" or "exhibits a capacity" for greater impact or formality. The phrase is commonly found in news, media and scientific writing, making it a useful addition to your writing toolkit. Remember to focus on demonstrating evidence of displayed ability for enhanced credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exhibits a capacity

Replaces "displays" with "exhibits" and "ability" with "capacity", focusing on potential rather than demonstrated skill. Similarity score: 90

demonstrates a talent

Substitutes "displays an ability" with "demonstrates a talent", emphasizing natural aptitude. Similarity score: 90

possesses the skill

Changes the structure to highlight possession of a skill rather than the act of displaying it. Similarity score: 85

shows proficiency in

Replaces the entire phrase with a more direct statement of proficiency. Similarity score: 80

is capable of

Focuses on the capability to perform, rather than the demonstration of ability. Similarity score: 75

manifests competence

Uses more formal language, replacing "displays" with "manifests" and "ability" with "competence". Similarity score: 70

reveals aptitude for

Highlights the revealing of an inherent aptitude. Similarity score: 70

excels at

Indicates a high level of ability, implying superior performance. Similarity score: 65

is adept at

Similar to "excels at" but with a slightly different nuance, suggesting skillfulness. Similarity score: 65

performs skillfully

Shifts the focus to the skillful performance of tasks. Similarity score: 60

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "displays an ability"?

Alternatives include "demonstrates a talent", "exhibits a capacity", or "shows proficiency in", depending on the context.

Is "displays an ability" formal or informal?

"Displays an ability" is generally considered neutral in tone. However, in very formal contexts, alternatives such as "manifests competence" may be more appropriate.

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

You can use "displays an ability" to describe someone's demonstrated skill or talent, such as "The student "displays an ability" to quickly grasp new concepts".

Which is more impactful, "displays an ability" or "demonstrates a talent"?

"Demonstrates a talent" may be more impactful because it suggests a natural aptitude, while "displays an ability" simply indicates a demonstrated skill. Both are correct, but the choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.