earned the ability to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "earned the ability to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the acquisition of skills or privileges through effort or achievement. Example: "After years of hard work and dedication, she finally earned the ability to lead the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The Mets have not earned the ability to think positively too deep into the season.

The New York Times - Sports

He has, in fact, earned the ability to hit out with the tail around him.

The Guardian - Sport

It's like I have earned the ability to say, 'Fuck you.'" To whom?

The Guardian - Music

But in studying Chinese and Arabic, Simpfendorfer has earned the ability to comment intelligently on the relationship between these two great cultures and its pivotal importance to the rest of the world, as he done in his timely new book "The New Silk Road".

The New Yorker

"People who have reached this level of success have earned the ability to make their decision more based on passion and interest than on return on investment," said Clay Speakman, president of Magnolia, a new lifestyle advisory program for the nearly 200 ultra-wealthy members of the investment group, Tiger 21.

The New York Times

We've earned the ability to buy some pricey toys.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

More pertinent in these moments is the tenacious way the Yankees have played to earn the ability to behave foolishly.

The New York Times - Sports

It's also frustrating that, before you earn the ability to hack car alarms, almost every vehicle you hijack or steal results in the cops being called.

The Guardian - Tech

As you play you'll earn the ability to spin a chip on your fingertip, or roll one across your knuckles.

The Guardian - Tech

In it, he wrote that athletes "must clear their minds of all confusion and earn the ability to let themselves play freely".

The New York Times - Sports

Each time Inspector Tequila pulls off a stylish move like jumping off the wall and gunning down an opponent in midair, the player earns the ability to use special moves, the most powerful of them simply killing every visible attacker in a hail of bullets and doves (doves are apparently a Woo trademark).

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "earned the ability to", ensure the context clearly demonstrates the effort or achievement that led to acquiring the ability. This strengthens the cause-and-effect relationship in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "earned the ability to" when the ability was simply granted or given without significant effort. This can weaken your credibility and mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earned the ability to" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun phrase, indicating the acquisition of a skill or privilege through effort or merit. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. The examples show diverse contexts, from sports to professional achievements.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "earned the ability to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express the acquisition of a skill or privilege through effort. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, including news, business, and general writing. While commonly used, it's important to ensure that the context accurately reflects the effort involved in gaining the ability. Alternatives such as "gained the capacity to" or "acquired the skill to" may be more appropriate when the ability was obtained without significant effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquired the capability to

Focuses on gaining a general capability, slightly broader than a specific ability.

gained the capacity to

Emphasizes the potential or power to do something, rather than just the skill.

achieved the skill to

Highlights the attainment of a specific skill, rather than a general ability.

attained the proficiency to

Implies a high level of skill or competence.

developed the aptitude to

Suggests a natural talent or inclination that has been cultivated.

cultivated the talent to

Emphasizes the nurturing and development of a natural talent.

secured the power to

Focuses on gaining authority or control to do something.

obtained the license to

Refers to acquiring formal permission or authorization.

won the right to

Highlights gaining a justified claim or entitlement.

qualified to

Indicates meeting the necessary standards or requirements.

FAQs

How can I use "earned the ability to" in a sentence?

Use "earned the ability to" to describe how someone gained a skill or privilege through dedicated effort, such as, "After years of training, she "earned the ability to" compete at the national level".

What can I say instead of "earned the ability to"?

You can use alternatives like "acquired the skill to", "gained the capacity to", or "achieved the proficiency to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "earned the ability to" or "gained the ability to"?

Both phrases are correct, but ""earned the ability to"" implies that effort was involved in acquiring the skill, while "gained the ability to" simply means that the skill was acquired, regardless of effort.

What's the difference between "earned the ability to" and "deserved the ability to"?

"Earned the ability to" indicates that someone has worked to achieve a certain skill, whereas "deserved the ability to" suggests that someone is morally or ethically entitled to possess a skill, often implying less about hard work and more about justice or fairness.