impair your ability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impair your ability" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to something that affects someone's ability to do something. For example, "His hearing impairment impaired his ability to understand the lecture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

My choice of worship does not impair your ability to slip out of a pew and go play golf.

The New York Times

Distress about your diagnosis and what it means for your future can impair your ability to listen and understand.

The New York Times - Health

But I don't think it's fair to manage other people's money when you think your handicaps could impair your ability".

The New York Times

The idea is to demonstrate for teens what it's like to be high, and how that can impair your ability to do common tasks.

The Washington Post

The trick is to get drunk enough to be hilariously funny, intelligent and confident but not so drunk that you lower your standards and impair your ability to get the hell out of there if it becomes boring or creepy.

The Guardian - Opinion

While it would take a lot of these foods to seriously impair your ability to absorb iron, you might want to consider going easy on them while trying to boost iron levels.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

If you consider yourself an avid N.F.L. fan and life's events somehow impaired your ability to closely track last Sunday's opening day marathon, you may well suffer from L.C.S., or lame cellphone syndrome.

The New York Times - Tech

"He's impairing your ability to figure out what the scene structure entails," Mr. Conway said of Mr. Turrell's body of work, of which he is a fan.

The New York Times

"If after an event like this you find yourself avoiding places and situations or just not being your normal self and more anxious about little things. . . if those things are severe enough that they're impairing your ability to function and to go about your normal day, that's probably PTSD," Soares said.

The Washington Post

(2) Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery.

Forbes

When you don't get high-quality, deep sleep, the toxic proteins remain in your brain cells, wreaking havoc and ultimately impairing your ability to think.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential negative consequences, use "impair your ability" to clearly indicate a reduction in someone's capacity to perform a specific task or function. For example, "Lack of sleep can impair your ability to concentrate."

Common error

Avoid using "impair your ability" in vague contexts. Always specify what ability is being affected for clarity. For instance, instead of saying "Stress can impair your ability", specify, "Stress can impair your ability to focus on tasks."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impair your ability" functions as a verb phrase followed by a possessive pronoun and a noun, indicating that something is diminishing or weakening someone's capacity to perform a specific action or task. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

20%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "impair your ability" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that describes a reduction or weakening of someone's capacity to perform a specific task or function. According to Ludwig AI, it is a valid and usable phrase in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media, academic, and wiki contexts. When using this phrase, it is important to specify what ability is being affected to ensure clarity. Alternatives include phrases like "affect your ability" and "hinder your ability", each carrying slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

affect your ability

This alternative is a more general term, suggesting influence rather than necessarily a reduction in ability.

impede your ability

This alternative suggests slowing down or hindering progress in ability.

diminish your ability

This alternative points to a reduction in the level or extent of ability.

hinder your ability

This alternative suggests creating difficulties or obstacles for ability.

undermine your ability

This alternative suggests a gradual weakening or erosion of ability.

hamper your ability

This alternative implies obstruction or impediment of ability.

weaken your ability

This alternative highlights a loss of strength or power in ability.

jeopardize your ability

This alternative highlights the risk of losing or damaging ability.

compromise your ability

This alternative indicates a partial or temporary reduction in ability.

harm your ability

This alternative indicates damage or injury to ability.

FAQs

How can I use "impair your ability" in a sentence?

You can use "impair your ability" to describe how something weakens or damages a specific skill or capacity. For example, "Excessive alcohol consumption can "impair your judgment"."

What are some alternatives to "impair your ability"?

Alternatives include "affect your ability", "hinder your ability", or "weaken your ability", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "impair your ability" and "affect your ability"?

"Impair your ability" specifically suggests a reduction or weakening of a skill, while "affect your ability" is a more general term that can indicate any kind of influence, positive or negative.

Is it better to use "impair your ability" or "damage your ability"?

Both phrases are correct, but "impair your ability" suggests a weakening or hindrance, while "damage your ability" implies more significant harm or injury to that skill.