increased the ability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "increased the ability" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing improvements or enhancements to someone's or something's capacity or skill level. Example: "The new training program increased the ability of employees to handle complex tasks more efficiently."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Although the risks have increased, the ability to generate earnings has gone up even more.

The Economist

As the number of outbreaks increased, the ability to control the spread by rushing vaccines to the affected areas would certainly decrease, perhaps precipitously.

The New York Times

"Cellphones have exponentially increased the ability to take a picture — a high-quality picture — in a hospital setting".

The New York Times

"You have drastically increased the ability to inflict death and injury," said Tom Diaz, author of "Making a Killing: The Business of Guns in America" (New Press, 1999) and a senior policy analyst at the Violence Policy Center.

The New York Times

Flight has done much to improve the human experience, while at the same time it has dramatically increased the ability to wage war on civilians from Guernica and Hiroshima to the World Trade Center on Sept. 11.

The New York Times

New media have enabled much more aggressive scrutiny from below, and increased the ability of small institutions and ad hoc groups like Occupy to organise against perceived threats and injustices.

The Guardian - Opinion

The move reflected the deregulation that is reshaping Japan's drug industry, which has increased the ability of foreign drugmakers to set up shop here and made domestic companies more vulnerable to outside competitors.

The New York Times

LCNPs considerably increased the ability of TET to penetrate the cornea.

Nanoscale Research Letters

As the volume of content has increased, the ability to manage it all seems to have eluded us.

TechCrunch

All the plasticizers used decreased Tg and increased the ability of PLA to cold crystallization.

Polymer

Apoptosis inhibition increased the ability of blastocysts to fully recover (23.8 ± 3.1% versus 14.6 ± 4.3%).

Theriogenology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "increased the ability", ensure that you clearly specify what the ability is and how it has been improved. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "increased the ability" without specifying the specific ability being enhanced. For example, instead of saying "The training increased the ability", specify "The training increased the ability to manage complex projects".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increased the ability" functions as a verb phrase, typically followed by an infinitive or a prepositional phrase specifying the area where the ability has been enhanced. Ludwig shows examples of this phrase being used to describe a wide range of enhancements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "increased the ability" is a versatile expression used to describe an enhancement in capability, skill, or potential. Ludwig's analysis reveals its prevalence in scientific and news media contexts, indicating its suitability for formal and neutral registers. While grammatically correct, it's crucial to specify the ability being enhanced to maintain clarity. Consider alternatives such as "enhanced the capacity" or "improved the skill" for nuanced expression. Remember to provide specific context to avoid vagueness. Ultimately, this phrase is a valuable tool for expressing progress and improvement across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enhanced the capacity

Focuses on the overall potential or volume that can be handled, rather than the specific skill.

improved the skill

Highlights the refinement of a specific skill or talent.

boosted the potential

Emphasizes the act of giving a lift or encouragement to an existing capacity.

augmented the power

Stresses an increase in strength or force.

extended the reach

Implies making something go further or affect a wider area.

expanded the scope

Signifies making something broader or more comprehensive.

developed the talent

Indicates the gradual growth and refinement of an innate aptitude.

cultivated the expertise

Suggests careful nurturing and development of specialized knowledge.

fostered the aptitude

Implies creating conditions that promote the growth of a natural inclination.

sharpened the competence

Focuses on refining existing skills to a higher degree of precision.

FAQs

How can I use "increased the ability" in a sentence?

You can use "increased the ability" to describe an improvement in someone's or something's capacity to perform a task. For example: "The new software "increased the ability" of the team to analyze data efficiently."

What are some alternatives to "increased the ability"?

Some alternatives include "enhanced the capacity", "improved the skill", or "boosted the potential" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "increases the ability" instead of "increased the ability"?

Both are correct, but "increases the ability" refers to the present or future, while "increased the ability" refers to the past. For example, "The upgrade increases the ability to process data faster" versus "The upgrade increased the ability to process data faster last year".

What's the difference between "increased the ability" and "improved the ability"?

"Increased the ability" generally refers to making something quantitatively greater, whereas "improved the ability" refers to making something qualitatively better. For example, "The new engine "increased the ability" of the car to accelerate" versus "The new training "improved the skill" of the doctors to diagnose rare diseases".