great aptitude for

USAGE SUMMARY

"great aptitude for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone has a natural ability for something. Example: He had a great aptitude for mathematics, thus he was able to solve difficult problems quickly.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

For all its empire-building it has shown no great aptitude for running conventional businesses.

The Economist

Charles from the first showed a great aptitude for inventing games to amuse them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He proved to have a great aptitude for preparing experiments and for botanical drawings.

The Guardian

"He's really got a great aptitude for basketball, and he's a great listener," Huggins said.

The New York Times - Sports

It some [sic] became apparent that he had a great aptitude for figures and finance.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

She patiently waited until he decided to marry her and then he showed great aptitude for handling money.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Over the show's five seasons, Peele always displayed the greater aptitude for plumbing darker depths.

The Guardian

But that raised another question: Did heightened activity correspond to a greater aptitude for language?

The New Yorker

Does being able to answer that question mean that a student has a greater "aptitude" for math?

The New Yorker

This temperament ultimately made Moynihan a better critic of politics than practitioner, a man with a greater aptitude for analysis than for accomplishment.

The New York Times - Magazine

Although he showed a greater aptitude for history, philosophy, and literature, he decided to apply to medi­cal school; but he was rejected everywhere.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's potential, follow "great aptitude for" with specific examples to illustrate their skill or ability. This adds credibility and clarity to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "great aptitude for" hyperbolically. Ensure the individual genuinely demonstrates potential in the area you are describing, not just a passing interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great aptitude for" functions as a descriptive qualifier, highlighting a significant natural capacity or talent. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively communicates the presence of a natural ability. The examples show it often precedes the specific area where the aptitude is evident.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

18%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "great aptitude for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express someone's natural talent or skill. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for diverse contexts, ranging from describing a child's learning abilities to an athlete's prowess. While the phrase is commonly used in news and media, it also appears in academic settings. When using "great aptitude for", remember to provide specific examples to support your claim and avoid exaggerating the individual's potential. For alternative expressions, consider "strong talent for" or "remarkable ability for" to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strong talent for

Replaces "aptitude" with "talent", emphasizing innate ability.

remarkable ability for

Substitutes "aptitude" with "ability" and adds "remarkable" to highlight the exceptional nature of the skill.

exceptional skill in

Uses "skill" instead of "aptitude" and "in" instead of "for", focusing on proficiency.

natural gift for

Replaces "aptitude" with "gift", suggesting an inherent, God-given talent.

profound knack for

Employs "knack" to denote a natural, intuitive skill and "profound" to intensify the ability.

considerable flair for

Uses "flair" to indicate a stylish and distinctive talent and "considerable" to emphasize importance.

outstanding potential for

Focuses on the capacity for future development rather than current skill.

inherent capacity for

Emphasizes the inborn nature of the ability.

predisposition toward

Highlights a natural inclination or tendency.

natural inclination for

Highlights a natural tendency or preference.

FAQs

How can I use "great aptitude for" in a sentence?

Use "great aptitude for" to describe someone's natural talent or skill in a particular area. For instance, "She has a "great aptitude for" languages, quickly mastering new vocabulary and grammar".

What are some alternatives to "great aptitude for"?

Similar phrases include "strong talent for", "remarkable ability for", or "natural gift for", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "great aptitude in" or "great aptitude for"?

"Great aptitude for" is the idiomatic and grammatically correct choice. While "aptitude in" might be understood, "aptitude for" is the standard and preferred usage.

How does "great aptitude for" differ from "greater aptitude for"?

"Great aptitude for" indicates a generally high level of skill, while "greater aptitude for" implies a comparison. For instance, "She has a "great aptitude for" music", versus "She has a "greater aptitude for" singing than for playing instruments".