he has the ability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'he has the ability' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone is capable of doing something. For example: "He has the ability to play the piano expertly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He has the ability to become HUGE!

The Guardian

He has the ability to play someplace.

The Guardian - Sport

He has the ability to excite everyone who sees him".

The Economist

He has the ability to hold the ball.

The New York Times

"He has the ability to make big plays in runs.

The New York Times - Sports

And he has the ability to do that.

The New York Times

He has the ability to cover guys in the slot.

The New York Times - Sports

He has the ability to push the pocket.

The New York Times - Sports

"He has the ability to keep the gap.

The New York Times - Sports

He has the ability to support a patient approach.

The New York Times - Sports

He has the ability and persona to take on Guardiola.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing someone's specific skill, follow "he has the ability" with a clear and concise explanation of what they can do. For example, "He has the ability to quickly analyze complex data and provide actionable insights."

Common error

Avoid pairing "he has the ability" with vague qualifiers like "sort of" or "kind of". This weakens the statement and undermines the confidence in the person's capabilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he has the ability" functions as a declarative statement. Grammatically, it asserts that a specific individual possesses a particular capacity or skill. Ludwig confirms its correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sports

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he has the ability" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to denote someone's capacity or skill. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase functions declaratively to inform or assure others of an individual's competence. Usage is most common in news, sports, and business contexts, with a neutral formality level. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what the individual is capable of and avoid vague qualifiers. Consider alternatives like "he is capable of" or "he is able to" to adjust the emphasis as needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is capable of

Focuses on the inherent capability someone possesses.

he is able to

A more direct and simple way of expressing someone's capacity.

he possesses the skill to

Emphasizes the skill aspect of someone's ability.

he has the potential to

Highlights the future possibility of someone achieving something.

he is equipped to

Suggests someone has the necessary resources or qualities.

he is competent to

Indicates someone is qualified and capable.

he is apt to

Suggests a natural tendency or inclination.

he is in a position to

Highlights someone's circumstances enabling them to do something.

he is empowered to

Focuses on someone being given the authority or power.

he can

A concise and informal way of expressing ability.

FAQs

How can I use "he has the ability" in a sentence?

Use "he has the ability" to indicate someone's capacity or potential to perform a specific action or task. For example, "He has the ability to learn new languages quickly." You can also explore alternatives like "he is capable of" or "he is able to".

What are some alternatives to saying "he has the ability"?

Alternatives include phrases like "he is capable of", "he is able to", or "he possesses the skill to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "he has the ability" or "he have the ability"?

"He has the ability" is correct. The verb "has" is used with the third-person singular pronoun "he". "Have" is used with plural pronouns or "I", "you", "we", and "they".

Is there a difference between saying "he has the ability" and "he has the potential"?

Yes, while related, "he has the ability" suggests a current capacity, whereas "he has the potential" implies a future possibility that needs to be developed. Consider using "he has the potential to" when referring to something that needs development.