have the ability to return

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have the ability to return" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing someone's or something's capability to come back or revert to a previous state or location. Example: "The software has the ability to return to its original settings if needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

General Writing

Technical Writing

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Most animals have the ability to return home from a foraging trip, even if home is nowhere in sight.

The New York Times - Science

Companies that are sitting on sizeable cash piles have the ability to return money to income-hungry investors in the form of dividends or share buy-backs.

The Economist

Because TruantToday contacts parents instantly, they have the ability to return the student back to the classroom and keep funding in schools.

TechCrunch

Regardless of my future paths, I know that I will always carry this DukeEngage experience with me int he future and I am warmed by the thought that I have the ability to return to a second home among the villagers of Garut, Indonesia.

Duke University

Students have the ability to return public library items in school or to place holds on public library items to be delivered and picked up in school.

Wikipedia

Ni-Ti shape-memory alloys possess certain novel properties, particularly they have the ability to return to their initialized shape via a simple change of temperature.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Susan McFarland, executive vice president and chief financial officer, told Reuters the first-quarter results indicated the company has the ability to return some of the taxpayer dollars it received.

Huffington Post

For instance, our sole perennial species (E. vaseyi) has the ability to return from established roots rather than relying on seeds to propagate.

AoB PLANTS

To improve the response rate of our survey, pediatricians had the ability to return their responses by fax, email or in postage-paid envelopes, and non-respondents received a reminder.

BMC Oral Health

Flip Flop Frog – This card has the ability to return any monster card on the field to the opponent's hand, up to the amount of frogs you control.

WikiHow

Now, however, inventors and patent owners have the ability to generate return on investment by selling their patents and patent applications in an evolving patent marketplace.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have the ability to return", ensure the context clearly defines what is returning and to what or where it is returning. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "have the ability to return" can sometimes sound verbose in formal writing. Consider using more concise alternatives like "can revert" or "is capable of returning" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have the ability to return" functions as a means to express the capacity or capability to revert to a former state, location, or condition. As Ludwig AI shows, this expression is applicable in various scenarios across different types of media.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

31%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have the ability to return" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression signifying the capacity or capability to revert to a previous state or condition. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. While versatile, it's advisable to consider more concise alternatives like "can revert" in formal settings. The phrase appears frequently in News & Media and Scientific sources. When using "have the ability to return", ensure that the context specifies to what the subject is returning for maximum clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be able to revert

Emphasizes the capability to go back to a previous state, focusing on the action of reverting.

be capable of returning

Highlights the inherent capability to come back, suggesting a natural or designed capacity.

have the capacity to revert

Stresses the potential or available room to return, focusing on the available capacity.

be in a position to come back

Focuses on the circumstances allowing a return, emphasizing the favorable conditions.

retain the power to return

Emphasizes the sustained power or authority to come back, highlighting the retained control.

possess the means to revert

Highlights the available resources or methods to go back, focusing on the means at disposal.

maintain the option to return

Focuses on preserving the choice or possibility to come back, emphasizing the preserved option.

reserve the right to return

Emphasizes the legal or formal entitlement to come back, highlighting the reserved right.

be eligible to revert

Highlights the qualification or entitlement to go back, focusing on the eligibility.

be authorized to return

Stresses the official permission or authorization to come back, highlighting the sanctioned return.

FAQs

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

You can use "have the ability to return" to describe a capability of reverting to a previous state or condition. For instance, "The software "has the ability to return" to its original settings if needed."

What are some alternatives to "have the ability to return"?

Alternatives include "be able to revert", "be capable of returning", or "have the capacity to revert", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "can return" instead of "have the ability to return"?

In many cases, "can return" is more concise and preferable. However, "have the ability to return" can be useful when emphasizing the inherent or designed capability, especially in technical or formal contexts.

What is the difference between "have the ability to return" and "retain the power to return"?

"Have the ability to return" generally indicates a capability, while "retain the power to return" suggests maintaining control or authority to revert, implying a deliberate choice or right.