inborn ability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inborn ability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a natural talent or skill that a person is born with, rather than one that is developed through practice or education. Example: "Her inborn ability to understand complex mathematical concepts set her apart from her peers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

In an encouraging book for the tortoises of the world, Paul Tough argues that it's toughness and endurance, not inborn ability or I.Q., that ultimately lead to success.

The New Yorker

One musician was described as having inborn ability (the "natural"), whereas the other musician was described as having worked hard to develop her ability (the "striver").

Harvard Business Review

Like my parents, many of these new arrivals brought two cultural values that would carry their children far: a near-religious devotion to education as the key to social mobility and a belief that academic achievement depends mostly on effort rather than inborn ability.

The New York Times

The term number sense is used to describe humans' and animals' inborn ability to intuitively size up the number of objects in their everyday environments.

Johns Hopkins University

In general, Dr. Pivarnik said, those who have an inborn ability to develop great cardiovascular fitness are the best athletes.

The New York Times - Health

That's not an inborn ability, it's a skill OK, a mastery learned over many years of doing.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

He said some gifted children worked less on their games because they relied on inborn abilities.

The New York Times

Where Gardner urges the individualized development of a distinctive blend of inborn abilities, she explained that his Chinese followers are prone to emphasize the structured mastery of multiple talents.

The New York Times - Magazine

The controversial implications are obvious: that men and women might differ in their inborn abilities at performing certain tasks, for example, or that parenting may have little influence on personality.

The Guardian - Books

Inborn abilities are more important than any efforts one can make.

IZA Journal of Migration

For instance, as Tomasello 2003 argues, children's early linguistic theorizing appears to be constrained by their inborn abilities to share attention with others and to discern others' communicative intentions.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing skills or talents, use "inborn ability" to emphasize that the skill is natural and not learned. This adds nuance when comparing innate talents to acquired skills.

Common error

Avoid using "inborn ability" when describing skills that are primarily developed through practice and training. This can misrepresent the effort and dedication involved in mastering those skills.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inborn ability" functions as a noun phrase, where "inborn" modifies the noun "ability". It describes a capability or skill that is inherent or innate, rather than acquired through learning or practice, as shown in Ludwig AI examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inborn ability" is a noun phrase used to describe a skill or talent that is inherent from birth, as Ludwig AI confirms. It commonly appears in News & Media, Academic and Scientific contexts. While grammatically correct and widely understood, it is important to use it accurately, distinguishing it from acquired skills. Consider alternatives like "natural talent" or "innate aptitude" to add nuance. Overall, the phrase is valuable for emphasizing the natural origin of a skill or capability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

innate capability

Emphasizes the inherent nature of the ability.

natural talent

Highlights the natural and unlearned aspect of the skill.

inherent aptitude

Focuses on a natural inclination or predisposition.

native gift

Suggests a talent that is a natural endowment.

instinctive skill

Highlights that skills happen by instinct.

untaught skill

Implies that there was no need to learn the skill.

God-given talent

Suggests divine origin of a specific skill or ability.

natural proficiency

Focuses on a natural and unforced competence.

inbred capacity

Emphasizes the inherited aspect of the capacity.

congenital talent

Highlights the talent's presence from birth.

FAQs

How to use "inborn ability" in a sentence?

You can use "inborn ability" to describe a talent or skill that someone possesses naturally from birth, such as "Her "inborn ability" to connect with people made her a great leader."

What can I say instead of "inborn ability"?

You can use alternatives like "natural talent", "innate aptitude", or "inherent skill" depending on the specific context.

Is "inborn ability" the same as "acquired skill"?

"Inborn ability" refers to a talent one is born with, while "acquired skill" refers to a skill developed through learning and practice. They are contrasting concepts.

Which fields value "inborn ability" over hard work?

Some fields, such as certain areas of mathematics or music, are often perceived to value ""inborn ability"" more than diligent effort, though this perception is often debated.